“Toymakers use scientific approach to producing Christmas playthings” in 1966

In the same newspaper where I found the 1966 article about the toy industry, “You Can’t Build a Business on Fads” there’s a great article all about how toymakers were using their R&D teams to construct the-then latest toys for kids. “Toymakers use scientific approach to producing Christmas playthings” compares the toy industry with spies and fashion, stating that “the ability to think like a six-year-old child” was as important as business sense, fashion sense, and technical know-how.

And we even get some wisdom from Bernie Loomis, legendary toymaker and president of Kenner back in the seventies. According to Loomis, “Any company that doesn’t produce at least on [sic] relative blooper a year isn’t seriously in the business . . . “ This quote isn’t surprising at all; I’ve read multiple instances where Loomis believed that failure was a good thing and demonstrated a willingness to push boundaries and try new things.

I can’t be the only one who enjoys these old articles about the toy industry, right?

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2 thoughts on ““Toymakers use scientific approach to producing Christmas playthings” in 1966

  1. I like that they predicted that RC toys would become commonplace. I’m sure they were thinking more like RC cars and planes, but I wonder if they had any idea about the possibility of drones!

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