Michael D. Roberto is a Hess Toy Truck historian. In this edition of The Friday Five, Michael shares the personal story behind his lifelong connection to the toy trucks and explains how his passion project became a vital resource for collectors, helping document and preserve community knowledge.
Justin McArthur collects Haunted Mansion memorabilia. In this Collector Spotlight, he takes us inside a collection shaped by a lifelong love of the legendary Disney attraction.
Stu Horvath is a culture critic and role-playing game historian. In this edition of The Friday Five, Stu reflects on the genre’s early history and how it has evolved to influence the broader culture of play.
Collector Spotlight, Video Games
Linda Guillory holds two Guinness World Record titles for her collection of gaming systems. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, she explains the role a house fire played in her approach to collecting and shares her thoughts on the recent record-breaking auction prices for some games.
David Sleasman is the director of library and archives at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. In this edition of The Friday Five, David provides insight into how children’s literature shapes our understanding of childhood and culture, and explains its lasting influence on play, learning, and identity.
Blake Changnon is the president, CEO, and founder of The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles. In this edition of The Friday Five, Blake shares insights into the power of play, nostalgia, and the importance of preserving children’s cultural history.
Cameron Smith-Rodewald collects PEZ. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Cameron shares how a childhood curiosity became a 3,700-piece collection and lifelong passion.
Eric collects vintage model kits. In this Collector Spotlight, he discusses how a lack of reliable information led him to fill a gap in the vintage model kit community and ultimately launch a YouTube channel focused on the history and evolution of model building.
Duncan Fisher is the son of Spirograph inventor Denys Fisher. In this edition of The Friday Five, Duncan shared his Dad’s unlikely path into the toy industry and explains why he’s now working to document his remarkable life and legacy.
Fernando Albarran collects The Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Fernando talks about how his love for the film turned into a passion for collecting and the joy within the Nightmare community.
