History's Best Selling Toys of 1972

Make way for the hits of 1972! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the disco & blockbuster decade and the march of first-rate toys. Crowd-pleasers such as Pong shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Blythe and Paddington Bear. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Atari and Kenner Products, these trailblazing products defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Pong

   Released in 1972 by Atari, Inc., Al Alcorn, Nolan Bushnell, Ted Dabney

   Pong burst onto the scene in 1972, igniting a revolution in entertainment. Initially appearing as a coin-operated arcade machine, its simple yet addictive gameplay quickly captivated players, transforming arcades and setting the stage for the nascent video game industry. Its immediate success at its first public installation in a Sunnyvale bar signaled a seismic shift in how people would interact with electronic media. Pong wasn't just a game; it was an experience that demonstrated the immense commercial potential of interactive digital entertainment, paving the way for future generations of consoles and computer games. It became an instant cultural phenomenon, a ubiquitous presence in public spaces, and a harbinger of the digital age.

2. Blythe (doll)

   Released in 1972 by Kenner Products, Allison Katzman

   Blythe dolls made their debut in 1972, launching with a distinct and somewhat unconventional aesthetic that unfortunately proved to be ahead of its time for the mainstream American toy market. Manufactured by Kenner Products, these fashion dolls, with their notably large heads and unique eye mechanism, struggled to find commercial success upon their initial release. Despite their brief original production run, Blythe dolls would later experience an extraordinary renaissance decades later, transforming from a forgotten toy into a global cultural phenomenon, particularly in Japan, becoming a cherished item for adult collectors and customizers worldwide. This unexpected resurgence cemented their legacy as one of the most intriguing and unique figures in toy history.

3. Paddington Bear

   Released in 1972 by Gabrielle Designs

   The year 1972 began with the official launch of a toy that would become a British icon. While not tied to a specific event on January 1st, this date marks the start of the year when Shirley Clarkson's Gabrielle Designs secured the license and began production of the very first commercially available Paddington Bear plush toy. Following a homemade prototype created for her children the previous Christmas, Clarkson turned her cottage industry into a manufacturing success story. This transformation brought Michael Bond's beloved literary character from the page into the arms of children, starting a global phenomenon and establishing the definitive three-dimensional look for the bear from darkest Peru.

4. Pippa (doll)

   Released in 1972 by Palitoy

   The Pippa doll, launched in 1972 by British toy manufacturer Palitoy, quickly became a beloved staple in many UK households. Introduced as a charming 6.5-inch fashion doll, Pippa offered a fresh, more affordable, and portable alternative to the larger, established fashion dolls like Barbie and Sindy. Her compact size and extensive line of trendy outfits and accessories made her an instant hit with children and parents alike, carving out a significant niche in the competitive doll market. Pippa's arrival marked a notable moment for British toy manufacturing, demonstrating its ability to create a compelling, locally-produced fashion doll that resonated deeply with its target audience and achieved considerable commercial success.