Great toys have an indelible impact on the memories of children. While many manufacturers are lucky to produce just one such toy. Wham-O is one of the few to have consistently turned out hit after hit.

For centuries, clowns have entertained and amused us while reaching into our deepest insecurities. Toy Tales looks at some of pop culture’s most recognizable clowns.

Here are 7 things you may not know about television legend Bob Keeshan, a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo.

James R. Becker was a pioneer in the global toy and game licensing industry with objects of play that resonated with children and adults around the world.

The German company’s brand is based on the exceptional quality of its books, toys, and games.

Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. evolved from distribution to manufacturing and battled a video game giant along the way.

Aurora Plastics Corporation seized the burgeoning hobby market in 1950 and captivated model makers for decades to follow.

This engineer and artist had a talent for breaking convention. His zany cartoons showcased elaborately engineered devices designed to perform simple tasks.

Charles S. Raizen invented a new way to transfer patterns through friction, creating a new niche and earning his place in toy-industry history.

Louis Marx was once referred to as “the Henry Ford of the toy industry.” He was a toy tycoon from the 1920s into the 1970s whose toys elevated playtime and inspired creativity in children around the world.

Frank Hornby grew his idea for a toy system with interchangeable parts into the company that would become Meccano Ltd., makers of the Hornby Trains and Dinky Toys brands.

Beatrice Alexander elevated the craft of doll making in the United States and around the world. Crowned the “First Lady of Dolls” by FAO Schwarz, her dolls are highly valued by collectors and museums alike.