The Secret History of Toys
Discover how playthings have changed over time—and how every generation adds something new to the toy box!
In the movie Toy Story 5, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of their gang of toys return. This time, they’ll take on their biggest challenge yet: technology! But what’s so scary about a learning tablet? Well … everything, if you’re a toy that was invented before computers were common. Mr. Potato Head, Barbie, Slinky, and little green army men have all been around since your parents (even your grandparents!) were kids. Over the years, toys have changed along with the world around them—from handmade keepsakes to plastic playthings to digital devices. Check out this timeline of facts about some old-school toys, plus some more modern ones, to see how playtime has evolved.
5,000 YEARS AGO
In 2017, archaeologists found a toy carriage from the Bronze Age in Turkey. They think ancient kids from this region played with their own version of a toy car!
1800s
In the 19th century, wealthy families bought rocking horses made with real horsehair, glass eyes, and leather saddles. Today, these vintage toys can cost as much as a new car.
EARLY 1900s
During the early 20th century, some teddy bears were stuffed with special long, thin wood shavings that gave the toys a stiff, crunchy texture. Happy hugging!
1930s
Little green army men figurines have been around since the 1930s, but it took a 2019 letter from a six-year-old girl to get toymakers to create little green army women.
1945
The Slinky was first sold in 1945 for $1. If a standard-size version of this spring toy is uncoiled, it will stretch almost the entire length of a basketball court.
1952
Mr. Potato Head was the first toy ever to star in a TV commercial, which aired in 1952. An early slogan promised this spud was “more fun than a pillow fight!”
1960
Etch A Sketch was introduced to the world in 1960. In 2016, the company celebrated its success by setting a record for most people etching globally at the same time: 484.
2022
Astronaut Barbie has actually been to space: NASA sent two of these dolls on a months-long mission aboard the ISS, or International Space Station, in 2022.
TODAY
Early versions of today’s electronic tablets were modeled on the technology that’s inside talking greeting cards. In the movie Toy Story 5, new character Lilypad (above) is a tablet.
The Walt Disney Company is majority owner of National Geographic Media. Text from the August 2026 issue of National Geographic Kids magazine.