The National Toy Hall of Fame is an American hall of fame that recognizes the contributions of toys and games that have sustained their popularity for many years. Criteria for induction include: icon status (the toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered); longevity (more than a passing fad); discovery (fosters learning, creativity, or discovery); and innovation (profoundly changed play or toy design). Established in 1998 under the direction of Ed Sobey, it was originally housed at A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village in Salem, Oregon, United States, but was moved to the Strong National Museum of Play (now The Strong) in Rochester, New York, in 2002 after it outgrew its original home.
Sixty-three toys have been enshrined in the National Toy Hall of Fame:
Original inductees (1998-99)
Class of 2000
Class of 2001
Class of 2002
Class of 2003
Class of 2004
Class of 2005
Class of 2006
This year’s nominees were: Atari Game System, Big Wheel, Easy-Bake Oven, Lite-Brite, Fisher-Price Little People, Hot Wheels, Lionel Trains, Operation Skill Game, Pez candy dispenser, rubber duck, skateboard, and Twister. Only two of the twelve nominees took their place in the hall that year.
- Easy-Bake Oven
- Lionel Trains
Class of 2007
Class of 2008
The following toys were added in 2008:
- The Stick: Curators praised the stick for its all-purpose, no-cost, recreational qualities, noting its ability to serve either as raw material or an appendage transformed in myriad ways by a child's creativity.
- The Baby Doll
- The Skateboard
Class of 2009
The following toys were added in 2009:
Class of 2010
The following toys were added in 2010:
Class of 2011
The following toys were added in 2011:
Class of 2012
The following toys were added in 2012:
Class of 2013
The following toys were added in 2013:
Class of 2014
The following toys were added in 2014:
Class of 2015
The following toys were added in 2015:
Class of 2016
The following toys were added in 2016:
See also
- Toy Industry Hall of Fame, recognizing the contributions of toy-makers.
References
External links
- National Toy Hall of Fame at Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, NY
- Raggedy Ann Inducted in the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2002