The inductees to the National Toy Hall of Fame this year were announced today, and they are, drumroll please, Game Boy, Big Wheel, and…the ball. Yep, the ball, just that generic ol’ orb!
Last year, the HoF inducted the stick, so I guess a ball isn’t that out of character. It just seems a little too basic to warrant specific admission rather than just be recognized as part of the ur-concept of toydom. It’s like the Baseball Hall of Fame inducting the idea of keeping statistics. I don’t know how the ball wasn’t already there, you know? Especially because Atari, Barbies, baby dolls, Legos, Lincoln Logs, Lionel trains, marbles (kind of a form of ball?), Monopoly, Mr. Potato Head, Play-Doh, the rocking horse, and View-Masters already made the cut. (Among others. Full list here.) Even the Strong National Museum of Play (which includes the National Toy Hall of Fame, naturally) admits the ball is “as old as civilization itself,” but for some reason it is just making the cut now, along with toys that launched in 1969 and 1989.
That said, good call on the Game Boy, toy folk! Sweet heavens, I loved my first Game Boy. Here’s hoping sled and doll house make the cut next year. What toy would you induct, PopWatchers?
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The stick?! Are you sure that Hoff did not induct the stick into the doggy toy hall of fame? lol! Fetch!
micro machines!
Pogo Ball!
Clue! the second best board game in the world– the first being monopoly of course
You would think the Ball was the first to get in?
Yeah ball is just getting in?
The Game Boy, but not the original Nintendo? Come on. And He-Man’s induction better be coming up!
Perfect opportunity for a Rochester shout-out missed. The home of the Toy Hall of Fame needs some love!
Stretch Armstrong!
I love that they have the sense of humor to induct items like “cardboard box” and “stick.”