Toys From the 1930s: History's Best Sellers

Revisiting 1930s presents a grand parade of toys history, marked by swell Yankee ingenuity and home-front craftsmanship and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Stuffed Mickey Mouse, Finger Paint, and Battleship took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like George Borgfeldt & Company and Ruth Faison Shaw led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Stuffed Mickey Mouse

   Released in 1930 by George Borgfeldt & Company

   On February 3rd, 1930, the world of toys and entertainment changed forever when Walt Disney signed a pivotal contract with George Borgfeldt & Company, a New York toy distributor. This agreement granted Borgfeldt the license to mass-produce the very first Mickey Mouse doll. While seamstress Charlotte Clark had created initial, highly sought-after handmade versions, this deal marked the moment Mickey Mouse transitioned from a popular cartoon character into a tangible, commercial product available to the masses. In the midst of the Great Depression, this contract laid the groundwork for the entire character merchandising industry, ensuring that Mickey's cheerful face would soon be found in the arms of children across America.

2. Finger Paint

   Released in 1931 by Ruth Faison Shaw

   On September 2, 1931, American educator Ruth Faison Shaw filed a patent application for a novel artistic medium she called 'Finger Paint.' This date marks the official beginning of a creative revolution in early childhood education. Shaw had developed the non-toxic, colorful paste while running her own school in Rome, Italy, seeking a therapeutic tool for her students to express themselves without the inhibition of brushes or other implements. The patent filing was a crucial step in transforming her educational method into a universally accessible product, laying the groundwork for a partnership with Binney & Smith (the makers of Crayola) that would place this unique sensory experience into the hands of millions of children across the globe.

3. Battleship

   Released in 1931 by Starex

   The year 1931 marked a significant turning point for a popular WWI-era paper-and-pencil game, as the Starex company officially launched 'Salvo,' the first commercial board game version of what we now know as Battleship. This groundbreaking release brought the thrill of naval combat strategy from handwritten grids to a mass-produced format, making strategic warfare accessible to families. Its intuitive yet challenging gameplay, requiring both logic and a bit of luck, quickly captivated players. The game's novelty, combining a simple premise with engaging competition, made it an instant hit and paved the way for its eventual global phenomenon status, solidifying its place in toy history long before its most famous plastic iteration.

4. Sock Monkey

   Released in 1932 by Nelson Knitting Company

   On April 12, 1932, the Nelson Knitting Company of Rockford, Illinois, filed a patent for a sock design that would inadvertently create a folk-art legend. This patent was for their iconic 'Rockford Red Heel' sock, a feature originally intended to show customers they were buying an authentic Nelson product. This distinctive red heel became the essential component for crafting the sock monkey's signature wide mouth. While the toy itself evolved organically, this specific date marks the legal and commercial birth of its most critical piece. The patent protected the very element that gave the future toy its character, cementing the foundation for a craft that would bring comfort and joy to millions, especially during the lean years of the Great Depression.

5. Microscope Set

   Released in 1933 by Porter Chemical Company

   On October 1, 1933, the Porter Chemical Company officially laid the groundwork for a new frontier in educational play by filing for the 'Microcraft' trademark. This date marks the formal commercial beginning of their iconic microscope sets. Launched in the midst of the Great Depression, a time when families prioritized value and education, the Microcraft line was perfectly positioned. It offered not just a toy, but an instrument of discovery, promising to unlock the hidden wonders of the natural world for any child. This move expanded Harold Porter's vision beyond chemistry, establishing a brand that would inspire future scientists and hobbyists by making the powerful tool of microscopy accessible and exciting for home use.

6. Buck Rogers Rocket Pistol

   Released in 1934 by Daisy Manufacturing Company

   On February 1, 1934, the fantasy of 25th-century space adventure materialized in the hands of children across America. On this day, the Daisy Manufacturing Company commercially released the Buck Rogers XZ-31 Rocket Pistol. Capitalizing on the immense popularity of the Buck Rogers comic strip, this toy was more than just a product; it was a cultural event. It marked the birth of the toy ray gun, a genre that would dominate playgrounds for decades. The release of the XZ-31 transformed imaginative play, allowing kids to step out of the Great Depression and into the role of a futuristic hero, forever changing the landscape of character licensing and science fiction toys.

7. Betsy Wetsy

   Released in 1934 by Ideal Toy Company

   Betsy Wetsy burst onto the toy scene in 1934, rapidly becoming a sensation and a quintessential part of childhood for generations of girls. Introduced by the Ideal Toy Company, this innovative doll tapped into a timeless desire for realistic play, capturing the hearts of millions with its groundbreaking ability to "wet" its diaper. At a time when dolls were often static and less interactive, Betsy Wetsy offered an unprecedented level of engagement, making it an immediate commercial success and a cultural phenomenon that redefined nurturing play for decades, setting a new standard for interactive baby dolls.

8. Dinky

   Released in 1934 by Meccano Ltd

   The launch of Dinky Toys in 1934 marked a pivotal moment in the history of play, introducing children to miniature, yet remarkably detailed, die-cast vehicles. Coming from the renowned Meccano Ltd, a company already synonymous with quality construction sets, Dinky quickly captured imaginations. These small, sturdy replicas weren't just toys; they were miniature marvels, bringing the excitement of the real world's cars, trucks, and planes into children's hands. Their instant popularity stemmed from an unmet desire for realistic, durable, and affordable scale models, transforming how children interacted with vehicles and laying the groundwork for a new era of collectible toys that would become a cultural phenomenon.

9. Monopoly

   Released in 1935 by Parker Brothers, Elizabeth Magie

   Monopoly launched in 1935 by Parker Brothers, quickly becoming a sensation during the Great Depression. Its arrival offered a much-needed escape, allowing players to engage in the fantasy of accumulating wealth and real estate, a stark contrast to the economic realities of the time. The game's straightforward yet strategic gameplay, combined with its aspirational themes, made it an instant cultural phenomenon, securing its place as a staple in households across America and soon, the world. It wasn't just a game; it was a symbol of hope and a shared social experience, offering a glimpse into the thrill of financial success.

10. Beach Ball

    Released in 1938 by Jonathan DeLonge

    On June 1, 1938, a new icon of summer fun was born. Californian Jonathan DeLonge is credited with finalizing the design and production of the modern, inflatable beach ball on this day. The timing was perfect. The 1930s saw a rise in American leisure culture, with seaside resorts and public beaches becoming increasingly popular destinations for families seeking escape and recreation. Before DeLonge's invention, beach toys were often heavy and cumbersome. His lightweight, brightly colored, and easily portable sphere arrived as the perfect accessory for the burgeoning beach culture, offering an affordable and accessible form of entertainment that perfectly captured the carefree spirit of a day by the water.

11. Army Men

    Released in 1938 by Bergen Toy & Novelty Co.

    On January 1, 1938, the landscape of children's play was quietly revolutionized with the debut of plastic toy soldiers by the Bergen Toy & Novelty Co. (Beton). While metal toy soldiers had been collectibles for decades, this date marks the beginning of their mass-market, affordable plastic counterparts in the United States. In a world teetering on the brink of another major conflict and just emerging from the Great Depression, these small figures were a product of their time. They offered an inexpensive and accessible way for children to engage in imaginative play that mirrored the growing military consciousness of the era, making them an instant and enduring classic.

12. View-Master

    Released in 1939 by Sawyer's Photo Services / William Gruber

    On November 1, 1939, visitors to the New York World's Fair were introduced to a groundbreaking new device that promised to transport them to faraway lands in stunning 3D. The View-Master, invented by William Gruber and produced by Sawyer's Photo Services, made its public debut. Initially marketed not as a children's toy but as an educational and souvenir item for adults, it offered stereoscopic reels of scenic American attractions like Carlsbad Caverns. This launch date marks the birth of an icon, a moment when the public first glimpsed a future where immersive visual experiences could be held in the palm of their hands, long before virtual reality became a household concept.

13. Red Ryder BB Gun

    Released in 1939 by Daisy Outdoor Products

    On January 1, 1939, a pivotal agreement was signed that would create one of the most iconic toys in American history. On this day, Daisy Manufacturing Company, already a prominent maker of air rifles, finalized a licensing deal with Stephen Slesinger, the savvy New York publisher and rights holder for the popular comic strip cowboy, Red Ryder. This New Year's Day agreement officially granted Daisy the rights to use the character's name and likeness. This wasn't the public launch of the product, but rather the crucial business handshake that set the stage for a legend. The contract transformed what would have been a standard Daisy air rifle into the coveted 'Red Ryder BB Gun,' forever linking the toy to the adventures of America's favorite fictional cowboy and ensuring its place in the heart of millions of children for decades to come.