The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys

From Publishers Weekly
A fun book that feels like it should accompany a museum exhibition, Walsh's history includes toy timelines (beginning with the Flexible Flyer in 1900); postcards, ads and articles (such as a 1980s Newsweek cover on "The Cabbage Patch Craze"); and close-up photos of game pieces (including a board from a 1949 version of Candy Land in which a boy has a peculiar line running up hisleg, which Walsh supposes might "speak volumes to... young polio victims"). Centered on toys that sold at least 10 million copies, were invented outside of the major toy companies (so no Mattel Hot Wheels or Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven) and that had significance to the author-a game inventor and 15-year veteran of the toy industry-and his friends, Walsh's account gives the particulars of 75 toys that enchanted American kids from 1900 to the 1990s. Among the playthings Walsh examines are Lincoln Logs, Monopoly, Barbie, Slip 'n Slide, Mouse Trap, GI Joe and Rubik's Cube. The book's nostalgic feel should appeal to fans of Americana. 420 color photos. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Scott G. Eberle, Vice President for Interpretation and Director of Play Studies, National Toy Hall of Fame® and Strong Museum
"...Lavishly illustrated with more than 400 pictures, and well-organized into witty, bite-sized essays...a pleasure to read."


Philip E. Orbanes, former Senior VP of R & D at Parker Brothers
"Tim’s behind the scenes stories are as much fun as the toys and games themselves."


Alan Caruba, Bookviews
"...a very satisfying reading experience."


Publishers Weekly
"A fun book that feels like it should accompany a museum exhibition..."


ForeWord Magazine
"...A brightly colored toy chest filled with memories and trivia."


Toy Shop Magazine
"Walsh was able to uncover the tantalizing untold stories behind America’s favorite toys..."


— Cynthia Crossen, The Wall Street Journal, December 4, 2004
"…an illustrated compendium of America’s 20th-century favorites."


— Ruth B. Roufberg, Parents’ Choice Foundation
"Despite the academic-thesis quality of the research, Walsh’s writing style is as inviting as a novel."


— Nicholas Wiedenhoeft, BookReview.com, 4 Star Review, “Must Read”
"…Well researched and beautifully photographed…What seems a coffee table book actually made for compelling bedtime reading."


Kirkus Discoveries
"The enthusiastic text complements the handsome photography....A worthy, fascinating, and overdue tip of the hat to toymakers..."


Book Description
The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys is a celebration of classic toys and a tribute to the people who brought them to life. The book is a journey covering nearly 100 years worth of playthings and offering a delightful look back at many childhood favorites. • Over 420 color photos bring these toys to life! • 130+ additional images of ads, patent drawings, illustrations and historical photos! • 75 toys are profiled, offering compelling behind-the-scene stories of the creation of Play-Doh, Clue, Frisbee, Nerf and more! • 15 ultra-rare prototypes are pictured, providing a glimpse of the scarcely-seen predecessors to Monopoly, Barbie, GI Joe, and others! • In-depth toy timelines, company profiles and rare interviews with inventors provide a comprehensive look at the business of making and marketing toys.


About the Author
Game inventor and author Tim Walsh was born on Christmas Day, 1964. In 1990 he co-invented TriBond, a board game that was initially rejected by every major toy company in the United States. To date, TriBond has sold over 3 million copies in thirteen countries, has been translated into 7 languages and in 2000, was inducted into the Games Magazine Hall of Fame. In 1994, Tim invented the board game Blurt!, which has sold over 1 million copies. His subsequent research on how hit toys were created was the inspiration for The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys. Tim is a fifteen-year veteran of the toy industry and a frequent speaker on games and toys, having appeared on TV and radio programs across the country, including CBS This Morning, NPR’s All Things Considered and Fox’s After Breakfast among others. This is his first book.


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A fun book that feels like it should accompany a museum exhibition, Walsh's history includes toy timelines (beginning with the Flexible Flyer in 1900); postcards, ads and articles (such as a 1980s Newsweek cover on "The Cabbage Patch Craze"); and close-up photos of game pieces (including a board from a 1949 version of Candy Land in which a boy has a peculiar line running up his leg, which Walsh supposes might "speak volumes to... young polio victims"). Centered on toys that sold at least 10 million copies, were invented outside of the major toy companies (so no Mattel Hot Wheels or Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven) and that had significance to the author-a game inventor and 15-year veteran of the toy industry-and his friends, Walsh's account gives the particulars of 75 toys that enchanted American kids from 1900 to the 1990s. Among the playthings Walsh examines are Lincoln Logs, Monopoly, Barbie, Slip 'n Slide, Mouse Trap, GI Joe and Rubik's Cube. The book's nostalgic feel should appeal to fans of Americana. 420 color photos.


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