Toys and Games of Childhood by Darlene Beck Jacobson



     While doing some research for my historical novel WHEELS OF CHANGE, I came upon a site that listed the most popular toys and games at the turn of the 20th Century.  Here it is:


          Teddy Bear (1902)- in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt who, on a hunting trip, had an opportunity to kill a bear and didn’t.
2         Erector Set- invented by AC Gilbert, a gold medal Olympian in the 1908 Pole Vault.
3        Lionel Trains (1901)
      Lincoln Logs (1916)
      Raggedy Ann Doll
     Radio Flyer Wagon (1917)
      Tinker Toys (1914)
      Crayola Crayons 8 pack (1903)
      Tin Toys
1      Tiddlywinks
  
       Baseball Cards  (1900)    Ping Pong  (1901)   Jigsaw Puzzle (1909)
       Other popular toys included:  Snap Card Game, Playing cards, marbles, checkers, chess,    yoyos, wooden tops, dolls.    
       
       After viewing this, I was struck by how  - even in this technological age - many of the items are still enjoyed. And, many classic books from my own childhood still get read by today's children: Dr. Suess, Nancy Drew, Little Women, Ramona Quimby, Cinderella, Snow White, PeterPan, Robinson Crusoe, Winnie the Pooh.   Isn't it nice to know that some things NEVER change?





Comments

  1. There's a reason why those toys became timeless, eh? The simple things are always the best...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Crayons and Lincoln Logs still have a special place in my house! (Most of those books do too!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love how each generation is passing down the love of these toys to the next, parents buying their kids Lincoln Logs, Erector Sets and Crayons and then passing them on to their children. I think it is why such beloved books like Winnie the Pooh, Secret Garden and Dr. Seuss stand the test of time, they were one's that we all loved to be read and want to read to our kids.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I still have my Snap card game and my Raggedy Ann doll!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment