On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll went on display at the
American Toy Fair in New York City.

Eleven inches tall, with a waterfall of blond hair, Barbie was
the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States with
adult features.

Barbie creator Ruth Handler (1916 – 2002) with some of
Barbie and Mattel products (1961).

On February 15, 1903, toy store owner and inventor Morris
Michtom placed two stuffed bears in his shop window,
advertising them as Teddy bears.

Michtom had earlier petitioned President Theodore Roosevelt
for permission to use his nickname, Teddy.

The president agreed and, before long, other toy manufacturers
began turning out copies of Michtom’s stuffed bears, which
soon became a national childhood institution.

Morris Michtom
(September 12, 1869 – July 21, 1938)

President Theodore Roosevelt (1898 – 1919)

Lonnie George Johnson (75)

On May 27, 1986, the U.S. Patent Office granted a patent
to  African American inventor Lonnie Johnson for his toy       
design simply titled ”Squirt Gun.”

       
After a few name changes and additional patents,
Johnson’s invention—ultimately re-named the
“Super Soaker®”—would become the best-selling
water toy of all time, eventually earning its rightful
place in the American National Toy Hall of Fame.       

Johnson was formerly employed at the U.S. Air
Force/ NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory^.

The National Toy Hall of Fame located in the outdoor Hasbro Game Park at The Strong National Museum of Play in
Rochester, New York.         
       

March 5, 1963: the Hula Hoop, a hip-swiveling toy that
became a huge fad across America when it was first
marketed by Wham-O in 1958, was patented by the
company’s co-founder, Arthur “Spud” Melin.

On February 15, 1903, toy store owner and inventor Morris
Michtom places two stuffed bears in his shop window,
advertising them as Teddy bears.

Michtom had earlier petitioned President Theodore Roosevelt
for permission to use his nickname, Teddy.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
(October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)