WXXI Local Stories
(2009-11-05)
Strong National Museum of Play announced the classic toy inductees, picked from a list of finalists on Thursday.
Hall of Fame chief curator and vice president of collections Chis Bensch says these toys have lasting value.
"The toys in the Hall of Fame are the ones that are so open-ended," Bensch says. "Kids can turn them into so many things. They can interact with family and friends. They can be creative. That's what makes them so fantastic and the ones we want to celebrate."
The Big Wheel was launched at a New York City Toy Fair in 1969, and the Nintendo Gameboy came through as an instant hit in 1989.
Bensch says longevity, discovery, innovation and creativity are the key factors that can help a toys get encased in glass.
The Hall of Fame is also celebrating Classic Toys of the National Toy Hall of Fame,a newly released book that outlines the 41 inducted toys with pictures. Bensch says it tells the history of some of the toys, and how they were used during their time.
The Cabbage Patch Kids, The Game of Life, the paper airplane, playing cards, Rubik's Cube, sidewalk chalk, toy tea sets and Transformers didn't make this year's cut.
The museum will celebrate its new inductees this weekend with a host of activities.
The National Toy Hall of Fame has been inducting toys for just over 10 years.
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