The Toys That Built America
Overview
Set against pivotal moments in American history, such as the Civil War and the Great Depression, "The Toys That Built America" unveils the significant impact of toys on society. Rather than just focusing on their playful nature, the series highlights how these seemingly simple objects have influenced cultural trends and economic changes throughout time. By exploring the stories behind iconic toys, it reveals their unexpected roles as catalysts for broader societal transformations, showcasing a unique perspective on America's historical narrative.
Episodes
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1
Masters of Invention
In the midst of World War II, a naval engineer stumbles upon the creation of a beloved spiral toy that gracefully walks down stairs. Meanwhile, anothe...
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2
Clash of the Toy Titans
Amidst the post-war baby boom that fuels an extraordinary thirst for toys, Ruth Handler takes a daring leap that leads to the creation of the world’...
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3
Toy Car Wars
In the early 1950s, as car enthusiasm surges in England, a young machinist crafts an innovative toy car that fits snugly inside a matchbox, intended f...
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4
Board Game Empires
Struggling to earn a living through lithographs, Milton Bradley invents one of America’s pioneering board games, destined to become a tremendous suc...
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1
Masters of the Toy Universe
After turning down the largest deal ever in the toy industry, Mattel's President Ray Wagner realizes he's lagging behind his former colleague and now ...
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2
The Birth of Video Games
Ralph Baer, a defense contractor, creates the first-ever home video game console. However, it quickly gets overshadowed by a groundbreaking table tenn...
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3
The Idea Man
Marvin Glass, a groundbreaking innovator, is at the helm of crafting some of the 20th century's most beloved toys. From whimsical chattering teeth to ...
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4
Brick by Brick
During the peak of the industrial era, as American cities begin to rise dramatically, a Yale-educated physician and Olympic gold medalist shifts his f...
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5
Order Out of Chaos
Hungarian professor Erno Rubik sparks a worldwide phenomenon with his revolutionary 3-D puzzle, igniting "Cube Mania." Meanwhile, Leslie Scott is dete...
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6
Cabbage Patch Clash
During the vibrant 1970s folk art movement, art student Martha Nelson designs a unique doll intended for sale at craft markets in Kentucky. Unbeknowns...
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7
80's Tech Toys
During the 1980s, revolutionary advancements in technology transform not just adult life but also classic toys. Innovators venture into new realms of ...
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8
Plumber Bros vs. Hedgehog
Following the catastrophic video game crash in the U.S. in 1983, a Japanese electronics firm revitalizes the market with a game starring a leaping plu...
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9
Christmas Crazes
The holiday shopping scene has evolved into a chaotic, high-stakes $1.1 trillion juggernaut, driven by various Christmas crazes. From a popular doll d...
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10
Gross Out Icons
Gross-out humor has been a part of human culture for centuries, leading to the development of toys that play on this fascination. From a Roman Emperor...
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1
Transforming Toy Invasion
In 1983, the lesser-known company Tonka embarks on a mission to introduce an innovative toy from Japan to the American market: the transformable robot...
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2
Mind Game Masters
In the years leading up to World War II, board games tended to be quite straightforward. However, the peace and prosperity that followed the war spark...
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3
Video Game Visionaries
With groundbreaking contributions from three visionary men, Nintendo transforms from a faltering playing card business into a powerhouse in the gaming...
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4
Game Night Legends
During the 1970s, the board game market primarily focused on kids, but everything changed with the arrival of Trivial Pursuit. This groundbreaking gam...
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5
Mighty Mutant Mayhem
In the late 1980s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles burst onto the action figure scene, revolutionizing the martial arts toy market. Their rise to pro...
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6
Old Games, New Twists
In the early 1970s, as toys evolve into more intricate designs, two innovative inventors put everything on the line—both their homes and careers—t...
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7
Happy Accidents
In the 1950s, two serendipitous finds transform ordinary industrial substances into iconic toys. Etch A Sketch and Play-Doh are set to generate billio...
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8
The Santa That America Built
Santa Claus stands as one of the most cherished and recognizable figures on the planet, embodying the spirit of hope and kindness for everyone. This t...
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9
90's Fad Toys
The 1990s were a whirlwind of iconic trend toys, from Furbys to Pogs. This was a time when classic toys like Beanie Babies faced off against cutting-e...
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10
Hottest Wheels
Journey through the evolution of popular wheeled toys, from the classic velocipede to the iconic Schwinn Stingray, and even pedal cars and Power Wheel...
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11
The Prank Toy Race
For sixty years, two clever yet goofy entrepreneurs—S.S. Adams and H. Fishlove—transformed their passion for humor into a thriving prank toy busin...
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12
Most Valuable Toys
For dedicated collectors, beloved childhood toys can fetch astonishing sums, from Lionel Trains to video games. In the past thirty years, enthusiasts ...