September 15, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Trien, 585-410-6359, strien@museumofplay.org

High resolution, downloadable images of current National Toy Hall of Fame® toys
are available (for media use only) at:
www.strongmuseum.org/NTHOF/pressimages.html

National Toy Hall of Fame® Final Nominees
Announced by Strong National Museum of Play® in Rochester, NY

2006 Inductees to be Named November 9

ROCHESTER, New York—Can the Easy-Bake® Oven cook up enough votes? Will the rubber duck make a big enough splash? Or will Lionel Trains® run circles around all the rest?

Strong National Museum of Play® today announced the twelve toy finalists being considered for 2006 induction into its National Toy Hall of Fame® in Rochester, New York. This year’s nominees are: Atari® Game System, Big Wheel, Easy-Bake® Oven, Lite-Brite, Fisher-Price® Little People, Hot Wheels®, Lionel® Trains, Operation Skill Game, PEZ® Candy Dispenser, Rubber Duck, Skateboard, and Twister®. Only two of the twelve nominees will take their place in the prestigious hall.

The final 2006 toy inductees, chosen by a National Selection Committee, will be announced at a press conference on Thursday, November 9, and a major weekend public celebration will follow at Strong on Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12. Festivities will include strolling toys, games, entertainment, a 50th birthday celebration for Play-Doh® (a previous hall inductee), and a demonstration by cardboard artist Lou Iannone who will turn a plain cardboard box (last year’s inductee) into a work of art.

The National Toy Hall of Fame® at Strong National Museum of Play® recognizes toys that have engaged and delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and discover through play. Criteria for induction include: Icon-status (the toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered); Longevity (the toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations); Discovery (the toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play); and Innovation (the toy profoundly changed play or toy design).

To date, the following 34 toys have made it into the National Toy Hall of Fame®: Alphabet Blocks, Barbie®, Bicycle, Candy Land®, Cardboard Box, Checkers, Crayola® Crayons, Duncan® Yo-Yo, Erector® Set, Etch A Sketch®, Frisbee®, G.I. Joe® , Hula Hoop®, Jack-in-the-Box, Jacks, Jigsaw Puzzle, Jump Rope, LEGO®, Lincoln Logs®, Marbles, Monopoly®, Mr. Potato Head®, Play-Doh®, Radio Flyer® Wagon, Raggedy Ann™, Rocking Horse, Roller Skates, Scrabble®, Silly Putty®, Slinky®, Teddy Bear, Tinkertoy®, Tonka® Trucks, and View-Master®.

Playthings, the leading trade magazine covering the children’s toy industry in the United States, is the national media partner of the National Toy Hall of Fame® at Strong National Museum of Play®. Founded in 1903, Playthings offers the most current and in-depth information and news on toy manufacturers, retailers, licensing, products, and people. Playthings is published by Reed Business Information, the largest business-to-business publisher in the United States.

Strong National Museum of Play® is the nation’s only museum devoted to the study of play as it illuminates American popular culture. Known for its family-friendly, interactive exhibits and world-renowned collections (including the world’s largest collection of toys and dolls), the museum recently underwent a major $37 million expansion making it the second largest children’s museum in the nation and the largest year-round family attraction in Upstate New York.

For more information on Strong and the National Toy Hall of Fame® visit www.museumofplay.org.

Strong National Museum of Play®, located in downtown Rochester, New York, is the only museum in the world devoted to the study of play as it illuminates American popular culture.

Hours:
Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Admission Fees
General Admission (does not include Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™):
Adults $9.00; Seniors $8.00; Children (2–17) $7.00; Children younger than two free; Strong members free.
Admission to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™:
General Admission fee plus $3.00 per person for members and nonmembers; Children younger than two free.
Due to limited capacity, entry to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™ is by timed tickets only. Advance purchase is recommended. Please call 585-263-2700 to purchase timed tickets.