Inducted Year: 2005
The jack-in-the-box offers continual delight. Known since the 16th century, and appearing as a Punch box (minus sidekick Judy), an admiral on a stick, and a Johnny jump-up, sometimes the jack figure was more horrible than humorous. Later, cuter examples show a growing kindliness toward children. Children still ask parents to crank the toy over and over without tiring of the joke. “Do it again!” They get help to reload it, deferring the jolt and the gratification. “Wait […]
Candy Land
Inducted Year: 2005
In the early 1940s, when the dreaded disease polio struck thousands of Americans, Eleanor Abbott, a victim of the disease, sought to invent pastimes for children who were recuperating. Her most successful idea became Candy Land, a game many people remember fondly as the first board game they ever played.
On the advice of her friends, Abbott sent her creation to Milton Bradley, and the company introduced Candy Land in 1949. Eager players travel along the rainbow-colored trail, past […]
Cardboard Box
Inducted Year: 2005
The Chinese invented cardboard in the 1600s. The English played off that invention and created the first commercial cardboard box in 1817. Pleated paper, an early form of corrugated board, initially served as lining for men’s hats. By the 1870s, corrugated cardboard cushioned delicate glassware during shipment. Stronger, lined corrugated cardboard soon followed. American Robert Gair produced the first really efficient cardboard box in 1879. His die-cut and scored box could be stored flat and then easily folded […]
