Link Banana

There are two pieces of data we can glean from this story: there is something called a National Toy Hall of Fame, and someone there is a clever marketer.

A bit of toy history: Gizmodo has compiled a photographic timeline of all Lego “minifigs” ever made.

I’m a touch late, but Cabel Sasser has collected some thoroughly entertaining pictures of fireworks packaging. It’s ersatz America through the eyes of Chinese gunpowder manufacturers. What could be better?

The Air tree shows the Super Soaker 100, which I ended up trading for two Super Soaker 50s (the one at the very top.) It’s amazing how many interations have occurred since.

(via Gizmodo, whose comments point to this video about the inventor of the toys)

Matt Kirkland has stripped away the fluffy cuteness behind Elmo and other plush toys to reveal the creepy-looking robots underneath.

(via kottke)

Speaking of the senator, Daily Intel received a rather strange email from the people selling dolls that seems to imply the Democratic candidate is a monkey:

We at TheSockObama Co. are saddened that some individuals have chosen to misinterpret our plush toy. It is not, nor has it ever been our objective to hurt, dismay or anger anyone. We guess there is an element of naviete on our part, in that we don’t think in terms of myths, fables, fairy tales and folklore. We simply made a casual and affectionate observation one night, and a charming association between a candidate and a toy we had when we were little. We wonder now if this might be a great opportunity to take this moment to really try and transcend still existing racial biases. We think that if we can do this together, maybe it will behoove us a nation and maybe we’ll even begin to truly communicate with one another more tenderly, more real even.

This is only our introductory plush toy. If we choose to move forward with a Republican candidate, we’ll begin with an elongated and slightly lumpy, fuzzy Idaho potato. Had a different Democratic candidate won the nomination, we were prepared to move forward with the cutest, fluffiest 12” chestnut and golden-haired squirrel, with a short Farrah-like do in a brown pantsuit and call her Squirellary.

Two things:

• Could be made of moss. Apparently that’s popular.
• Should be devoid of brightly-colored plastic. Tom Vanderbilt makes a number of interesting points about what these things mean. I don’t exactly share his Bowling Alone-style despair, but it’s interesting reading.

The epic battle that accompanies every children’s toy.

(via clusterflock)

These are very cool. You should look at them. That is all.

(via BBGadgets)

Bloxes, as the name suggests, are like cardboard blocks. If you’re not impressed already, shame on you. They look like extreme fun. Also, be sure to check out the “pics” page.

(via Lifehacker)

The Economist’s Charlemagne column has a fun way to judge Europe and understand it in contrast to the rest of the world. It’s an entertaining thought, even if sometimes feels like a stretch.

In the hunt for a distinctive European identity, consider toy brands, such as Denmark’s Lego or Germany’s Playmobil.

These firms may be dwarfed in America by titans like Mattel, but in Europe they are cultural giants, vying for top spots in markets such as France and Germany. In their designs, business models and philosophies, they offer a striking snapshot of European aspirations, anxieties and foibles. (Tellingly, toy bosses see Britain as a case apart, closer to the American market in taste, and showing what they call an “Anglo-Saxon” fondness for heavily marketed novelties tied to films or television.)

Joel Johnson takes a novel approach to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Lego: he lists the nine Lego sets he’s wanted most during his life. It’s fun read, and a reminder of when I too yearned for Lego sets more than any other toys.