The Story of Monopoly, Silly Putty, Bingo, Twister, Frisbee, Scrabble, Et Cetera

by Marvin Kaye

Book by Kaye, Marvin

196 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 1973

About the author

Marvin Nathan Kaye was an American mystery, fantasy, science fiction, horror author, anthologist, and editor. He was also a magician and theater actor. Kaye was a World Fantasy Award winner and served as co-publisher and editor of Weird Tales Magazine.

Reviews

[Todd Coopee · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 1974, A Toy is Born is still an enjoyable read for anyone interested in a “behind the scenes” look at the origins of some classic toys and games.

During his 190-page journey, author Marvin Kaye delves into the personalities and circumstances that led to the invention and early marketing of a variety of well-known playthings, including Bingo, Yahtzee, Monopoly, Twister, Scrabble, Lionel trains, and Matchbox die-cast cars. Kaye’s work and the industry knowledge he gleaned as a senior editor at Toys, an industry trade publication, is evident throughout the book. Many of his anecdotes are embellished with snippets of dialogue from inventors and various toy industry insiders. Now 40 years since its first publication, reading the book and Kaye’s insights has the feel of opening a time capsule.

For example, the chapters on toy safety and advertising at the time are a fascinating peek into the past.

In the chapter entitled, “Housecleaning Project: TV Commercials”, Kaye chronicles the rise of the Boston-based consumer organization Action for Children’s Television (ACT) and its impact on children’s television advertising at the time. Guidelines used by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to evaluate toy commercials are also discussed, with a running commentary from Bob Keeshan, a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo.

The book concludes with a chapter called “The Great Witch Hunt” that focuses on toy safety. Kaye traces the advent of the Child Protection and Toy Safety Act of 1969, the ripple effect it had on the toy industry as a whole, and his reflections on the “journalistic witch hunt” that ensued.

[A.M. Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably plucked this for cheap out of an auction box hoping to eventually learn something new. For the tidbits of history about some name brands of well-known toys and games, it's worth a skim. But it's definitely a product of it's time (published in 1972) in terms of the language and some terms used ("women libbers" really???), as well as being written for male readers.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, the book is dated, but the history of many of the games hasn't t changed. Some of the stories, about the evolution of the game and it's inventor, are quite amusing.

[Captain Dunsel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to see the history of toys of my youth.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

323 - 2015