The Toys That Built America
History
Against the backdrop of major events in American history, like the Civil War and the Great Depression, "The Toys that Built America" shares a different story: one that brings new products and nostalgic toys to the forefront as driving forces behind untold cultural and economic shifts. The four-part docuseries showcases visionaries, such as the Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley and Ruth Handler, who transformed a small toy company into the billion-dollar empire now known as Mattel. The series unveils competitive rivalries between iconic brands that changed the fabric of the nation forever.
Upcoming TV Listings for The Toys That Built America
The Toys That Built America Mighty Mutant Mayhem
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles high kick their way into the action figure market in the late 1980s, opening the door for a new kind of martial arts toy; their place at the top is soon challenged by a mighty morphin phenomenon.
9:00 AM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America Game Night Legends
In the 1970s, the board game industry was aimed almost entirely at children, until a literal game changer came along in Trivial Pursuit; redefining the possibilities for adult fun, it opened up a whole new genre.
10:00 AM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America Christmas Crazes
The Christmas crazes that helped transform holiday shopping into the frantic, no-holds-barred $1.1 trillion frenzy that it is today; each season's must-have toy sends desperate shoppers to unbelievable lengths just to buy it.
11:00 AM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America Gross Out Icons
From a first-century Roman emperor who created an early version of the whoopee cushion to modern materials that emulate human body fluids, gross equals big bucks for toymakers; examining innovative toys designed to shock.
11:30 AM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America Most Valuable Toys
A look at the enormous prices people have paid over the last three decades to get their hands on the cherished toys they have always wanted.
12:00 PM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America The Prank Toy Race
The hundreds of trick and gag toys produced by entrepreneurs S.S. Adams and H. Fishlove that have entertained and annoyed Americans over six decades, and how many are still being sold.
12:30 PM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America Hottest Wheels
From the velocipede to the Schwinn Stingray, or even pedal cars to Power Wheels, viewers will roll their way through the history of the hottest toys on wheels and the surprising stories behind their creations.
1:00 PM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America 90's Fad Toys
From Furbys to Pogs, the 1990s were full of unforgettable fad toys; it was a decade where old school toys like Beanie Babies went head-to-head with high-tech wonders like Tamagotchi, and parents would do anything to get their hands on them.
1:30 PM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America Happy Accidents
Two chance discoveries in the 1950s turn mundane industrial materials into legendary toys; Etch A Sketch and Play-Doh will rake in billions for decades to come, but not everyone will reap the rewards.
2:00 PM on History Canada East
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The Toys That Built America Old Games, New Twists
As toys became increasingly complex in the early 1970s, two unconventional inventors risk their homes and careers to bring revolutionary twists to classic games; together, Uno and Connect Four unleash a wave of family-friendly games.
3:00 PM on History Canada East
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