Back in 2006, The Easy-Bake Oven and Lionel model trains joined Mr. Potato Head, the Frisbee and 32 other classic but watt-free toys in the Strong-National Museum of Play’s thirteen-year-old hall of fame.
Longevity is a key criterion for getting into the all-star lineup. Each toy must not only be widely recognized and foster learning, creativity or discovery through play, but endure in popularity over multiple generations.
“This is the year of the plug-in toy — and a sign of things to come,” said Christopher Bensch, the museum’s chief curator, noting that the 12 nominees in 2006 included the iconic Atari video game system.
“Will it be time someday for the GameBoy or the PlayStation or the Xbox? I think so. Those are the toys people are going to have nostalgia for and maybe pass on in their latest forms to their kids and grandkids.”
The latest, still pre-computer child favorites to be honored have been around for awhile: The first Easy-Bake Oven showed up in stores in 1964. It used the standard 100 watt light bulb and now they are being phased out by the government.
But have no fear folks, the new look is ready to go and Easy-Bake will keep going in the toy market for years to come. The legislature might let the government might have to be shut down, but gosh darn it we do not have to worry about more toys burning up or kids getting burned. Oh how we can still remember the good old days when we got hurt and it felt good. Play on!
No comments:
Post a Comment