The Toys That Built America

Milton Bradley vs Parker Brothers. Is it for fun or education. Is it for adults or the kids.

Slinky, Silly Puddy, and Whamo does a sling shot, Frisbee, and Hoola Hoop.

Hasbro vs Mattel. Barbie vs GI Joe and the winner is, both

Hungarian professor, Erno Rubik's 3D puzzle takes the world by storm, Alexey Pajitnov risks everything to launch a video game obsession based on a puzzle

Martha Nelson creates a one-of-a-kind doll to sell at kentucky craft markets

Matchbox vs Hotwheels. Can they sell more cars than the automotive companies?

A Yale educated medical doctor and Olympic gold medalist turns his attention to toys.

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.

In 1983 Tonka sets out to bring a game-changing toy from Japan to America the transformable robot. But they're soon confronted by industry giant, Hasbro who has own toy line.

Marvin Glass oversees the creation of many of the most iconic toys of the 20th Century. From chattering teeth to a legendary game based on a mouse trap, Glass pushes the boundaries of what a toy can be, and inspires generations.

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.

As toys become 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.

After passing on the biggest deal in toy industry history, Mattel President Ray Wagner finds himself a step behind former colleague-turned-rival, Bernie Loomis.

After the U.S. video game crash of 1983, a Japanese electronics company single-handedly resurrects the industry with a game featuring a jumping plumber.

Before World War board games are simple but postwar peace and prosperity reveals demand for more challenging pastimes. After decades of struggle three different innovators break the mold to release games that combine fun with an challenge.

Santa Claus evolves from third-century saint to symbol of hope, goodwill. Insight into creative history behind jolly icon.

For six decades two silly, but savvy entrepreneurs-S.S. Adams and H. Fishlove-turned their love of a good joke into a booming prank toy industry.

The 1990s saw a boom in fad toys, from Furby to Tamagotchi. Old school toys like Beanie Babies competed with new tech like virtual pets. Demand among parents was intense.

Whether you wear them, ride them, push them, or drive them, some of the funnest toys of childhood are built on wheels.

A former amusement park employee combines his animatronic knowledge with the cassette tape to create the world's first realistic talking toy