Profiles of Ingenuity

Carol Shaw created a bestselling video game and dodged gender bias to carve out her career.

Bernard Loomis made legendary contributions to the toy industry and world of play.

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.

Cowen applied his talent for engineering and innate curiosity to create model trains that captured the attention of rail enthusiasts for generations.

Jerome Lemelson’s passion for technology and engineering led to advancements in toys, games, and gadgets.

A.C. Gilbert left a promising career in medicine to create toy kits that inspired generations of engineers, scientists, and tinkerers.

The Danish toymaker rose from poverty to create LEGO, one of the world’s most recognizable and profitable toy brands.

George S. Parker was one of the most prolific individual inventors in toy- and game-industry history and the force behind Parker Brothers, a pioneering toy and game manufacturer.

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

Rod Serling’s radio and television productions are steeped in intrigue. As screenwriter, producer, host, and narrator of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling challenged television audiences to open their minds to new realities and break free of social conventions.

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.

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.

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

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

Worldwide Day of Play is an annual event created by Nickelodeon to encourage people to turn off the television, step away from their connected devices, and get outside to play.

In recognition of National Teddy Bear Day on September 9, we’re paying homage to four beloved bears that ignite curiosity, teach children valuable life-lessons, and provide comfort in times of insecurity.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced in July the creation of Star Wars-themed lands in their Anaheim, CA and Orlando, Florida parks. As leaders in the theme park industry, Disney sets the standard. Let’s take a look at past milestones of their historic parks in the USA.

In honour of Father’s Day 2017 on June 18, let’s reflect on how dads are portrayed in pop culture and how they keep pace with society.