Mr. Potato Head (1950s)

Before he was a movie star with a plastic body, Mr. Potato Head started as a simple collection of plastic face and body parts you'd stick into a real potato! This groundbreaking toy, originating in the US in the 1950s, was the first to be advertised on television, revolutionizing the toy industry. Its genius lay in its simplicity, allowing kids to use their imagination to create countless funny faces on their starchy canvas. It wasn't just a toy; it was an invitation to be silly and creative, turning an everyday vegetable into a character. This early version, with its focus on using household items, captured the post-war spirit of resourcefulness and imaginative play before evolving into the iconic plastic figure we know today, cementing its place as a beloved cultural icon.