Toy

Teddy bear

A toy is something to play with, for children, adults or both. They may either be the sole device used in an enjoyable activity or one of many. Toys have existed for thousands of years; dolls either of infants, animals, or soldiers, and miniature representations of the tools of adults are readily found at archaeological sites. The origin of the word is unknown but is believed to have been first used in the 14th century. [1] Two comparatively recent developments of toys have been their mass production, technological sophistication and copyrighting. A number of these copyrighted, mass-produced toys are associated with particular decades in the twentieth century.

Many successful films, television programs, books and sport teams have official merchandise, quite often toys will be made and sold. Some notable examples are Star Wars and Manchester United. The haulage company owned by Eddie Stobart produced model lorries, which now subsidise the business.

Medieval ship model as toy for children, c. 1465

Some things usually thought to be games are actually toys, such as the computer game SimCity and its spinoffs, which are called software toys. As a rule, if something game-like lacks an explicit end state, it is a toy, not a game.

Early toys

A display of Roman toys, including several that would be familiar to children today: a doll, dice, rattles, and toy dishes for playing house.

The history of toys closely follows the development of human society. People constructed the earliest toys from materials they had on hand, such as rocks, sticks, or clay. Arguably the oldest toy is the doll. Thousands of years ago, Egyptian children played dolls with wigs and movable limbs, made in stone, pottery, and wood.[2] The yo-yo is considered the second oldest toy, believed to have originated in China over 2,500 years ago. Chinese yo-yos were traditionally made of wood. The first verified mention of the yo-yo comes from Ancient Greece in the year 500 B.C. [3] The toy was made of wood, stone, or terra cotta. The Greeks decorated the two halves of the yo-yo with pictures of their gods and were given up when they entered adulthood. In Ancient Rome, girls played with dolls made of wax or terra cotta, while boys played with sticks and bows and arrows. In 1000 B.C., kites were popular in China. [4] The Inca, for example, had a rolling toy even though their adult culture did not employ the wheel.

The Hopi kachina doll is a spiritual doll given to women and children.

Medieval period

Since most toys during the Middle Ages were made of clay, wood and wax, toys in this period are rare artifacts. However, it is not indicative of the popularity of toys during this time. Most historians believe that the first commercial production of toys began in Germany in the 15th century. The German city of Nuremberg led the way in the manufacture of toys, especially dolls. Common German toys included rattles and wheeled pull-toys for younger children. Musical toys such as whistles were also common among the young.[5] Adolescents played with tops, usually large and wooden, as well as marbles made of clay, and large hoops. Toy soldiers, hobby horses as well as other military toys, such as wooden swords and shields, were used as training devices for aspiring knights. [6] Ornately dressed dolls were often used by rulers as gifts for other regal women. [7] Rag dolls were especially prevalent among young girls.

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Child Development

Rubik's Cube

Often toys serve a dual purpose. Besides entertainment, toys also serve to enhance cognitive behavior and to stimulate creativity. Toys for infants include those with distinguishable sounds, bright colors, and a unique feel. During this time, infants begin to recognize shapes, colors and after repetitive use, the nascent person attains familiarity with object reinforcing memory recollection. Coordination and other manual skills develop from subsequent childhood activities of interaction with toys. Marbles, jackstones, and stackable blocks requiring use of hands and bodies. Mental agility, beginning with childhood, is challenged by toyish puzzle of spatial relationships. Play-Doh, Silly Putty and other hands-on materials allow the child to make toys of their own. [8]

Educational toys for children of a greater age often contain some puzzle, problem-solving technique, or mathematical proposition. A popular toy for this age group was the Rubix Cube. Popularized in the 1980s, solving the cube requires some planning and problem-solving skills. Newton's cradle, a desk toy designed by Simon Prebble, demonstrates the conservation of momentum and energy.

Unintended toys

Play-Doh, originally intended as a wallpaper cleaner.

After trying to create a replacement for synthetic rubber, Earl Warrick inadvertently invented "nutty putty" during World War II. Later, Peter Hodgson recognized the potential as a childhood plaything and packaged it as Silly Putty. Similarly, Play-Doh was created as a wallpaper cleaner. [9] In 1943 Richard James was experimenting with Torsion springs as part of his military research when he saw one come loose and fall to the floor. He was intrigued by the way it flopped around on the floor. He spent two years fine-tuning the design to find the best gauge of steel and coil. After a name change, the Slinky was sold as a toy for both genders in stores throughout the United States.

References

  • Wulffson, Don L. Toys! Henry Holt and Company; ISBN 0805061967
LEGO Green Razor Scooter

Examples

This is not intended to be a complete list. For a list of all toys on which there are currently articles, see Category:Toys.

  • Construction toys
    • Erector Set
    • Gami, Plastic Origami
    • Jovo
    • K'NEX
    • LEGO
    • Lincoln Logs
    • Märklin
    • Meccano
    • Mega Bloks
    • Stickle bricks
    • Tinkertoy
    • Zome
  • Figures
    • Dolls
      • Raggedy Ann
    • Action figures
    • Playmobil
    • Digital pet
    • Jumping Jack
    • Toy soldier
    • Stuffed animals
      • Pound Puppies
      • Teddy bear
      • Sock monkey
  • Drawing toys
    • Decoder pen
    • Spirograph
    • Stencil
  • Educational toy
    • Ant Farm
  • Mechanical toys
    • Cotton reel tank
    • Jack-in-the-Box
    • Magic trick
    • Newton's cradle
    • Easy Bake Oven
  • Mechanical puzzle
    • Rubik's Cube
  • Miniaturized items
    • Toy piano
    • Toy weapon
  • Model building
    • Model car
    • Model railway
      • Carpet railway
  • Model collecting
    • Matchbox cars
  • Science and optical
    • Kaleidoscope
    • View-master
    • Spinning top
    • Zoetrope
  • physical activity and dexterity toys
    • Bungee Balls
    • Frisbee (1950s)
    • Hula Hoop (1950s)
    • Marbles
    • Pogo stick
    • Soap-box cart
    • Footbag
    • Chinese yo-yo (diabolo)
    • Yo-Yo (1930s onwards)

Materials

  • Nerf

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For a list of all toys on which there are currently articles, see Category:Toys.. Levinson was often criticized because no one seemed to think the film had a point.[citation needed]. This is not intended to be a complete list. The film didn't become too much of a success despite its cast. After a name change, the Slinky was sold as a toy for both genders in stores throughout the United States. Toys was directed by Barry Levinson and written by Levinson and Valerie Curtin. He spent two years fine-tuning the design to find the best gauge of steel and coil. Eventually, a battle ensues, with Leslie and Alsatia winning; the company is restored to normal.

He was intrigued by the way it flopped around on the floor. Leland begins making violent products in secret, products that not only simulate violence but actually cause it and in turn to conquer the world. [9] In 1943 Richard James was experimenting with Torsion springs as part of his military research when he saw one come loose and fall to the floor. Upon the death of Kenneth Zevo, founder and owner of the pacifistic company Zevo Toys, the company is willed to Zevo's brother Leland, a Lieutenant General, rather than his son Leslie or daughter Alsatia (who is actually a gynoid), both of whom would better hold the ideals of the company. Similarly, Play-Doh was created as a wallpaper cleaner. The movie is noted for its strong use of surrealism with its creative sets and sense of humor. Later, Peter Hodgson recognized the potential as a childhood plaything and packaged it as Silly Putty. It is basically an anti-war story.

After trying to create a replacement for synthetic rubber, Earl Warrick inadvertently invented "nutty putty" during World War II. Toys is a 1992 film about a very large family-owned toy company. Newton's cradle, a desk toy designed by Simon Prebble, demonstrates the conservation of momentum and energy. For the article on actual toys, see toy.. Popularized in the 1980s, solving the cube requires some planning and problem-solving skills. This article is about the film, Toys. A popular toy for this age group was the Rubix Cube. Debi Mazar - Nurse Debbie.

Educational toys for children of a greater age often contain some puzzle, problem-solving technique, or mathematical proposition. Arthur Malet - Owen Owens. [8]. Donald O'Connor - Kenneth Zevo. Play-Doh, Silly Putty and other hands-on materials allow the child to make toys of their own. LL Cool J - Patrick Zevo. Mental agility, beginning with childhood, is challenged by toyish puzzle of spatial relationships. Robin Wright - Gwen Tyler.

Marbles, jackstones, and stackable blocks requiring use of hands and bodies. Joan Cusack - Alsatia Zevo. Coordination and other manual skills develop from subsequent childhood activities of interaction with toys. Michael Gambon - Leland Zevo. During this time, infants begin to recognize shapes, colors and after repetitive use, the nascent person attains familiarity with object reinforcing memory recollection. Robin Williams - Leslie Zevo. Toys for infants include those with distinguishable sounds, bright colors, and a unique feel.

Besides entertainment, toys also serve to enhance cognitive behavior and to stimulate creativity. Often toys serve a dual purpose. [7] Rag dolls were especially prevalent among young girls. [6] Ornately dressed dolls were often used by rulers as gifts for other regal women.

Toy soldiers, hobby horses as well as other military toys, such as wooden swords and shields, were used as training devices for aspiring knights. Musical toys such as whistles were also common among the young.[5] Adolescents played with tops, usually large and wooden, as well as marbles made of clay, and large hoops. Common German toys included rattles and wheeled pull-toys for younger children. The German city of Nuremberg led the way in the manufacture of toys, especially dolls.

Most historians believe that the first commercial production of toys began in Germany in the 15th century. However, it is not indicative of the popularity of toys during this time. Since most toys during the Middle Ages were made of clay, wood and wax, toys in this period are rare artifacts. The Hopi kachina doll is a spiritual doll given to women and children.

[4] The Inca, for example, had a rolling toy even though their adult culture did not employ the wheel. In 1000 B.C., kites were popular in China. In Ancient Rome, girls played with dolls made of wax or terra cotta, while boys played with sticks and bows and arrows. The Greeks decorated the two halves of the yo-yo with pictures of their gods and were given up when they entered adulthood.

[3] The toy was made of wood, stone, or terra cotta. The first verified mention of the yo-yo comes from Ancient Greece in the year 500 B.C. Chinese yo-yos were traditionally made of wood. Thousands of years ago, Egyptian children played dolls with wigs and movable limbs, made in stone, pottery, and wood.[2] The yo-yo is considered the second oldest toy, believed to have originated in China over 2,500 years ago.

Arguably the oldest toy is the doll. People constructed the earliest toys from materials they had on hand, such as rocks, sticks, or clay. The history of toys closely follows the development of human society. .

As a rule, if something game-like lacks an explicit end state, it is a toy, not a game. Some things usually thought to be games are actually toys, such as the computer game SimCity and its spinoffs, which are called software toys. The haulage company owned by Eddie Stobart produced model lorries, which now subsidise the business. Some notable examples are Star Wars and Manchester United.

Many successful films, television programs, books and sport teams have official merchandise, quite often toys will be made and sold. A number of these copyrighted, mass-produced toys are associated with particular decades in the twentieth century. [1] Two comparatively recent developments of toys have been their mass production, technological sophistication and copyrighting. The origin of the word is unknown but is believed to have been first used in the 14th century.

Toys have existed for thousands of years; dolls either of infants, animals, or soldiers, and miniature representations of the tools of adults are readily found at archaeological sites. They may either be the sole device used in an enjoyable activity or one of many. A toy is something to play with, for children, adults or both. Nerf.

Yo-Yo (1930s onwards). Chinese yo-yo (diabolo). Footbag. Soap-box cart.

Pogo stick. Marbles. Hula Hoop (1950s). Frisbee (1950s).

Bungee Balls. physical activity and dexterity toys

    . Zoetrope. Spinning top.

    View-master. Kaleidoscope. Science and optical

      . Matchbox cars.

      Model collecting

        . Carpet railway. Model railway
          . Model car.

          Model building

            . Toy weapon. Toy piano. Miniaturized items
              .

              Rubik's Cube. Mechanical puzzle

                . Easy Bake Oven. Newton's cradle.

                Magic trick. Jack-in-the-Box. Cotton reel tank. Mechanical toys

                  .

                  Ant Farm. Educational toy

                    . Stencil. Spirograph.

                    Decoder pen. Drawing toys

                      . Sock monkey. Teddy bear.

                      Pound Puppies. Stuffed animals

                        . Toy soldier. Jumping Jack.

                        Digital pet. Playmobil. Action figures. Raggedy Ann.

                        Dolls

                          . Figures
                            . Zome. Tinkertoy.

                            Stickle bricks. Mega Bloks. Meccano. Märklin.

                            Lincoln Logs. LEGO. K'NEX. Jovo.

                            Gami, Plastic Origami. Erector Set. Construction toys

                              . Toys! Henry Holt and Company; ISBN 0805061967.

                              Wulffson, Don L.