The Fisher-Price Toy Company was founded in 1931 by Herman Fisher, Irving Price, and Helen M. Schelle. While none of the three had much experience in the field of toy manufacturing, they shared a vision to produce a line of toys that would stimulate the creativity of a child. As stated in their first catalog, it was the goal of Fisher-Price to manufacture “toys with intrinsic play value, ingenuity and strong construction that are a good value for the money.”
The company that would one day grow into the world’s largest producers of children’s toys and furniture started in a three-room concrete-block building in East Aurora, New York with 16 toys. From their humble beginnings they would progress from wooden pull toys in the 1930s and 40s to molded plastic toys in the 1950s. Each toy met with more success than the one before it and by the end of 50s they had increased their line to 39 toys.
For decades the children of America have awoke on Christmas morning to find Fisher-Price toys under the tree. Do any of you remember the “bubble mower” which produced a stream of bubbles when pushed, the “popcorn popper” with it’s bright colored balls that flew around inside a plastic dome, or the pull-toy trains driven by Mickey Mouse? These and many other of the toys from the 1950s are considered Fisher-Price Classics, but nothing captured the imagination of the children of America like their 1959 release, the “Little People.”
The Little People have undergone six major body configurations since their inception. Early figures were wooden. All had a cylinder-shaped body with females identifiable, for the first years, only by their eye makeup. After 1965 you will find a wider shape used for boys and men and a conical upper shape for girls. The first group of figures were sold in 1965 as the Lacing Shoe with Play Family. The set, containing a Mom, a puppy, and four child figures, is a must-have for children and collectors alike.
In 1968, Fisher-Price introduced the first Little People play set, the Play Family Barn which featured doors that “moo-ed” when opened. It was followed in 1969 by the Play Family House, the Play Family Action Garage in 1970, School is Cool in 1971, and the Little People Discovery Airport in 1972. Play sets, with all of their pieces, may take a while to acquire, but mint condition sets are of considerable value.
In spite of their popularity the Little People faced the threat of extinction in the mid-1980s when a picture of three of the characters was featured on the cover of the Edward Swartz publication “Toys that Kill.” The book addressed the choking dangers to small children presented by many popular toys of the day. It was taken very seriously by the major toy companies and Fisher-Priced replaced their Little People with a larger version called the “Chunky People” which sold from 1991-1996.
The “Articulated People,” introduced in 1997, were smaller that the Chunky People with dimensions close to the original Little People. They will be more detailed and brightly colored than their predecessors and they will have arms and legs.
Listed among this year’s top toys for toddlers, their vehicles, play sets and the “people” themselves stimulate creativity and instill family values for young minds while developing hand eye coordination and providing hours of fun.
For a good overview of Fisher-Price through the years check out the official Fisher Price Collectors Club page, www.fpclub.org. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
