History's Best Selling Toys of 1966

Throughout the swinging sixties, 1966 saw a swell surge of Space Age wonder and counter-culture flair in the world of toys! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like Radio-Controlled Car and Captain Action, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like Elettronica Giocattoli and Ideal Toy Company proved their mettle with Batman action figures, delivering craftsmanship that spurred a pop-culture revolution across the nation. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. Radio-Controlled Car

   Released in 1966 by Elettronica Giocattoli

   On February 1, 1966, at the Milan Toy Fair, the world of play was forever changed. Italian firm Elettronica Giocattoli (EG) unveiled its 1:12 scale Ferrari 250LM, the first commercially successful radio-controlled car. Before this moment, 'remote control' almost universally meant a toy physically tethered to a controller by a wire, limiting movement and imagination. The EG Ferrari severed that cord. Utilizing emerging radio technology, it offered unprecedented freedom, allowing a user to 'drive' the car with a level of precision previously reserved for hobbyist or military applications. This debut didn't just launch a new product; it created an entirely new category of interactive toy and laid the technological groundwork for a global hobby that would captivate millions.

2. Captain Action

   Released in 1966 by Ideal Toy Company

   In 1966, the toy aisles welcomed a groundbreaking new hero: Captain Action. Launched by Ideal Toy Company, he emerged during the golden age of action figures, a direct response to the massive success of G.I. Joe. What made Captain Action a true cultural phenomenon wasn't just his heroic stature, but his unprecedented ability to transform. Unlike other action figures who were singular characters, Captain Action was a master of disguise, allowing children to outfit him as an array of beloved superheroes and villains using licensed costume sets. This innovative 'one figure, many heroes' concept captured imaginations and offered an exciting new dimension to play, quickly establishing him as a unique and memorable entry in toy history.

3. Batman action figures

   Released in 1966 by Ideal Toy Company and subsequent licensees, Various designers and teams

   The launch of Batman action figures in 1966 marked a pivotal moment in toy history, coinciding with the massive popularity of the 'Batman' live-action television series starring Adam West. While earlier static figures existed, the articulated 12-inch figures by Ideal Toy Company were among the first to truly capture the essence of a poseable hero, allowing children to recreate the dynamic adventures they saw on screen. This initial release tapped into a surging cultural phenomenon, providing tangible representations of Gotham's Caped Crusader directly into the hands of an eager fanbase. The immediate success solidified Batman's place not just as a comic book icon, but as a perennial toy aisle staple, setting the stage for decades of innovation and countless iterations.