If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about the origins of your favourite childhood toys. But have you ever wondered what the first toy to be advertised on television was? The answer may surprise you. It turns out that the first toy ever advertised on television was a Mr. Potato Head. And not only that, but Mr. Potato Head was also the first toy to be advertised directly to children. The ad aired on April 30, 1952, during the debut of the children’s show “The Howdy Doody Show.” The commercial showed a boy playing with the toy and ended with the tagline, “Mr. Potato Head, he’s got eyes, he’s got ears, he’s got a nose. But he doesn’t have a mouth because you’re supposed to put one on him.” The original commercial was only 15 seconds long, but it was enough to make an impact. Since its debut, Mr. Potato Head has been a popular toy for children of all ages. In addition, many different versions are available, including Mrs. Potato Head, Baby Potato Head, and even Star Wars-themed potato heads.
The History of Mr. Potato Head
The history of Mr. Potato Head is a long and storied one. He was created in 1952 by George Lerner, who came up with the idea of using a real potato as a toy. The first Mr. Potato Head kit included eyes, noses, mouths, and hats, which could stick into the potato to create a variety of different faces. Lerner originally pitched his idea to Hasbro, but they were not interested. He then took his idea to a rival company, Playskool. They loved it and released the first Mr. Potato Head kit in 1952. It was an instant hit. The original Mr. Potato Head kits did not come with a body – only the face parts. In 1964, Hasbro finally decided to get in on the action and released their version of Mr. Potato Head, which included a plastic body. This new version quickly became the more popular option and is what most people think of when they think of Mr. Potato Head today. Over the years, Mr. Potato Head has undergone many changes and has become one of the most beloved toys of all time.
Why was Mr. Potato Head a Success
The Mr. Potato Head toy was a success for a number of reasons.
First, it was a unique toy that had never been seen before. Secondly, It was very affordable, which made it appealing to families on a budget. Additionally, the Mr. Potato Head toy was easy to use and allowed children to be creative in how they played with it.
Finally, the Mr. Potato Head toy was heavily promoted through television commercials, which helped to generate excitement and interest among potential buyers.
The Impact of Advertising on Toys
In 1956, the first toy ever advertised on television was Mr. Potato Head. This was a big deal at the time because it was one of the first that adults used television to specifically target children as consumers. Since then, advertising has become a mainstay of the toy industry. It is estimated that American children see between 20 and 40 thousand commercials every year, many of which are for toys. This constant barrage of marketing can significantly impact what toys children want and how they view playtime. Some researchers believe that advertising contributes to increased materialistic values among children. Others say that it leads to unrealistic expectations about what toys can do. And still, others believe that it creates a sense of insecurity in children by making them feel like they need to have the latest and greatest toy to be happy. Whatever the Impact of advertising on toys may be, one thing is certain: it is here to stay.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the first toy ever advertised on television was Mr. Potato Head. This beloved toy has been a staple in American households for generations, and it all started with a simple commercial in 1952. Mr. Potato Head paved the way for other iconic toys like Barbie and G.I. Joe to be marketed on television, and today, there is no shortage of commercials for children’s toys during prime-time programming. So next time you’re watching your favourite show with your kids, and a commercial comes on for the latest must-have toy, remember that it all started with Mr Potato Head.
