Toys: 2007 Hall of Fame inductees

I learned recently that the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, are inducting three classic toys into the hall of fame. I know you're waiting with baited breath. What will they select for the ages this year? Will it be controversial? Who will go home disappointed?

For your reading pleasure, the 2007 inductees:

1: Raggedy Andy

Raggedy Andy proceeds his sister, Ragedy Ann, who was honored in 2002. Hall of Fame statement: "The dolls are reunited in this place of honor—where they belong, together of course, for always." Isn't it sweet? Brother and sister reunited after a five year separation.


2: The kite

A dark horse candidate for several years running, the kite has finally won it's well deserved honor. The Frisbee and the Duncan Yo-Yo were both selected in past years when all eyes were on the kite. It was suggested that bad weather in those years had kept the electors indoors and unable to enjoy the experience of flying a kite on a windy day. Then there was the year when the easy bake oven was inducted over the kite was responded with jeers and calls for a recount. Only, the decision to honor Barbie caused as big of a stir as the easy bake oven squeezing by the kite.

In a recent year when the cardboard box was selected as an inductee over the kite, Hall of Fame officials prepared for an onslaught of criticism. It turns out nearly everyone has some fond childhood memory of doing something fun with a cardboard box and the entrant remains one of the most popular displays at the Hall of Fame.

So, finally after many years of waiting, the kite receives its due honor.


3: Atari 2600

From the Hall of Fame: " Because computer technology advances so rapidly, video game systems often have short lives. The Atari 2600, however, proved surprisingly long-lived. Its widespread popularity, relative affordability, and abundance of software titles kept it in production for fifteen years. Eventually it succumbed to newer, faster, more powerful competitors, but not before it made video games a staple of everyday play."

So, I guess we have Atari to blame for kids' lack of attention span and other video gamer-related social and personal ills. But seriously, the Atari was great! I loved playing Millipede, Asteroids, Mario Brothers, and Jungle Hunt. (You swam across crocodile filled rivers and stabbed them in the face with a knife. The graphics were so great that I thought you were merely punching the crocodiles in the face.) Maybe that explains my long standing nightmare of wild animals biting my hands...

Eventually, the Atari got boring as it seemed like every one of my other friends got a Nintendo and could play Super Mario Brothers and Congo. Oh, how I longed for a Nintendo! Oh, how I still long for a Nintendo!