Many new toys were invented in the 20th century. Plasticine was invented in 1897 by William Harbutt. It was first made commercially in 1900. Also in 1900 Frank Hornby invented a toy called meccano. Other popular toys in the early 20th century were tin cars. In the 1920s train sets became very popular. Soft toys also became common in the early 20th century including teddy bears.
During World War II most toy factories were turned over to war production. However in the late 20th century with the arrival of an affluent society plastic and metal toys became much cheaper and much more common. In the 1950s Lego became a popular toy. Mr Potato Head was invented in 1952. The skateboard was invented in 1958. Barbie dolls were invented in 1959 and Action Man went on sale in Britain in 1966. In the early 1970s space hoppers and clackers were popular toys. At the end of the 20th century computer games became very popular.
- http://www3.hants.gov.uk/childhood-collections/toys/scalextric.htm
- http://www.toyinfo.org/ToyInfo/TOYS___TRENDS/TOY_TIMELINE/ToyInfo/Toys___Trends/Toys/Toy_Timeline.aspx
- http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/50stoys.html
- http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/page/collections/
- http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/40stoys.html
- toy timeline activity http://www.iboard.co.uk/iwb/Toy-Timeline-542
- timeline http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0768872.html
- http://displays.tpet.co.uk/?resource=537#/ViewResource/id537
