Thursday, September 02, 1999
'Must-have' toys of yesteryear
The Associated Press
Every few years, there seems to be a must-have toy that people across the nation scramble to find. But what happens to these toys once the next “big thing” catches the consumer's eye? Some popular toys and where they are now:
Holiday Barbie
Mattel Inc. launched the dressed-up dolls in 1988 and they were an immediate hit among both children and adult collectors. In 1995 and 1996, it was one of the nation's best-selling dolls. But sales fell after that, amid an oversupply in the marketplace. The doll was discontinued this year.
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids were developed by art student Xavier Roberts in 1976. The Coleco toy company made a deal in 1982 to mass-produce the dolls, known for their cute faces and pudgy bodies. Each doll also came with a unique birth certificate. Almost 3 million were made for the 1983 holiday season, but that was hardly enough to satisfy demand. Sales hit $4 billion within five years before level ing off, but the dolls, now made by Mattel, remain somewhat popular. Some of the original handmade versions command thousands of dollars from collectors.
Hula Hoop
Wham-O introduced the Hula Hoop in 1958, based on a bamboo exercise hoop used in gym classes in Australian elementary schools. It took only a few months for sales to reach 25 million. After two years, the number surpassed 100 million. Sales slowed by the early 1960s, but Hula Hoops are still found in most large toy stores.
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