Fisher Price toys history

Sometimes I have to do a lot of searching for ideas to write an article about each week, and other times, an idea comes quite quickly. We recently had an estate sale that featured some vintage Fisher Price toys like the ones my sister and I enjoyed as children. They are simple, sturdy toys that have stood the test of time. Sometimes I wonder if all these blinking, bright, noisemaking toys lead to ADD or could be harmful to kids in the long run. When we were little, we had to use our imagination to play with the toys and make up our own sounds.

Three entrepreneurs by the names of Herman Fisher, Irving Price and Helen Schelle had the idea to produce toys that were durable, funny and a good value at a time when most people did not have extra money to spend on children’s toys. The trio produced their first Fisher Price toys made of durable pine and steel and colored with high quality lithography. These first toys were push or pull toys and were introduced to the public at the American National Toy Fair in New York City in 1931. The toys were a hit, and the toy line was expanded. The first successful toy was Mr. Doodle and Granny Doodle the duck.

As with most companies, toy production was halted during the war years as production companies converted to produce items needed for the effort to win the war and provide for the troops overseas. After the war, wood was scarce due to the housing boom (sound familiar?) and Fisher Price began producing toys with plastic parts. In the 1960s, the iconic “little people” figures become popular as they came in sets such as the school bus, schoolhouse, farm and airport. I was particularly fond of the kid with the mean look on his face! I guess he was the bully and is no longer politically correct! My sister and I had a good time playing with our Fisher Price toys.

Probably two of the most iconic Fisher Price toys were the popcorn popper, pop beads, which were huge, and the rocking ring stack. I had forgotten about those pop beads until I was researching for this article. The popcorn popper was also quite annoying with its loud popping of the balls as you pushed it around as fast as you could! Today’s kids would probably be totally bored with the toys we used to play with. I believe a lot of those toys are probably still in my mom’s basement!

As the 1970s and 80s came along, there were lots of iconic toys produced in those periods, and baby furnishings were added as well as popular cartoon lines of toys. Toy giant, Mattel, purchased the company in 1993 and the popular power wheels toys were produced. I remember my wooden Fisher Price car that held some wooden blocks. You sat on it and even though it had a steering wheel with a horn in the middle that beeped, I don’t remember it actually turning. We had to make it go ourselves and turn ourselves, not push the gas on an electric powered Mercedes or Jeep power wheels toy! Aw, the good ol’ days!

Fisher Price has withstood the test of time, and I think the original idea to make toys that were high quality and durable has been sustained. A recent check of actual sold prices on eBay revealed that 1960s and 70s Fisher Price play sets in the original boxes can bring hundreds of dollars! I saw the McDonalds set selling for $250! Maybe I need to go look in Mom’s basement again. Happy Collecting!

Jillinda Falen has been buying and selling antiques for over 35 years and is a licensed REALTOR® and estate liquidation specialist. You can contact her through the Houston Home Journal or via email at jcfalen@gmail.com.

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