The Mr. Potato head was originally an idea of plastic pieces and push pins which could attach to any kind of vegetable, turning it into a real life figure with arms, legs, eyes, etc. The toys success did not fire at first, as the idea was created during World War II and toy manufacturing was not that popular since all resources went towards the war, and the fact that most parents thought to spend money on a meal rather than the toy pieces. The toy company officially launched manufacturing in 1952; the Mr. Potato Head being the first toy to ever be broadcast on commercials. Eight years after invention, manufacturing companies began to include a plastic potato body due to complaints of rotting vegetables and new safety regulations with the push pins. After only months of sales, the Mr. Potato Head production made over 4 million dollars, grabbing a lot of children attention as their favorite new toy. 1 year later Mrs. Potato Head was introduced giving the male a new wife.
After a few months of productions complaints began. Families were worried because the plastic pieces were too sharp and would often injure the child as they were playing. Another complaint was the vegetables would eventually start to rot, causing the concept of the toy to be short lived along with wasting the vegetables in a time of need for food. This brought the manufacturing companies to the decision to include a plastic potato part so there would be no rotting and there could be endless fun.
Being the first toy toy to ever be broadcast, it was huge for the T.V. industry. Since most commercials were targeted for adults on trying to buy refrigerators or furniture. the commercials were targeting a different age group. It was huge for the television industry, and also the toy industry which eventually led to other toys trying to get broadcaster on T.V. later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICGrjmJouWA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICGrjmJouWA
The Mr Potato Head that most people are familiar with is the plastic version. it also became widely recognized a second time when the toy played a key role in the movie toy story in 1995. it was the only listened toy in the entire movie. the original price of a set of plastic pieces costed only .98
in conclusion the Mr. Potato Head widely played a role in the baby boom era, not only influencing the TV industry, but also showing the world a new toy that can be made to any kind of child's version the way they like it. with its sales production is also helped the economy in the process. it also influenced other toys to try and join the commercial industry in the process, being the spark of a bigger variety of commercials going from adults to all ages.
in conclusion the Mr. Potato Head widely played a role in the baby boom era, not only influencing the TV industry, but also showing the world a new toy that can be made to any kind of child's version the way they like it. with its sales production is also helped the economy in the process. it also influenced other toys to try and join the commercial industry in the process, being the spark of a bigger variety of commercials going from adults to all ages.