Toy
- This article is about things that people play with. See also Toys for the 1992 film of that name starring Robin Williams; or toy dog, referring to one of many very small breeds of dog.
A toy is something to play with, for children, adults or both, or pets. They may be either the sole device used in an enjoyable activity or one of many. Toys have existed for thousands of years; dolls of infants, animals, or soldiers, and miniature representations of the tools of adults are readily found at archaeological sites. The origin of the word is unknown, but it is believed to have been first used in the 14th century. [1] A few comparatively recent developments of toys have been their mass production, technological sophistication and copyrighting. A number of these copyrighted, mass-produced toys are associated with particular decades in the 20th century.
Many successful films, television programs, books and sport teams have official merchandise, which often includes related toys. Some notable examples are Star Wars, a science fiction film series, and Manchester United, an English football club. The haulage company owned by Eddie Stobart produced model lorries, which now subsidise the business.
Some things usually thought to be games are actually toys, such as the computer game SimCity and its spinoffs, which are called software toys. As a rule, if something gamelike lacks an explicit end state, it is a toy, not a game.
Early toys
The history of toys closely follows the development of human society. People constructed the earliest toys from materials they had on hand, such as rocks, sticks, or clay. Arguably the oldest toy is the doll. Thousands of years ago, Egyptian children played with dolls with wigs and movable limbs, made in stone, pottery, and wood. [2] In Ancient Rome, girls played with dolls made of wax or terra cotta, while boys played with sticks and bows and arrows.
The yo-yo is considered the second-oldest toy. It is believed to have originated in China more than 2,500 years ago. Chinese yo-yos were traditionally made of wood. The first verified mention of the yo-yo comes from Ancient Greece in the year 500 B.C. [3] The toy was made of wood, stone, or terra cotta. The Greeks decorated the two halves of the yo-yo with pictures of their gods, and youngsters gave up yo-yos when they entered adulthood.
Another toy originating in China is the kite, which was popular in 1,000 B.C.
[4] In the Americas, the Inca had a rolling toy even though their adult culture did not employ the wheel. The Hopi kachina doll is a spiritual doll given to women and children.
Medieval period
Since most toys during the Middle Ages were made of clay, wood and wax, toys in this period are rare artifacts. However, it is not indicative of the popularity of toys during this time. Most historians believe that the first commercial production of toys began in Germany in the 15th century. The German city of Nuremberg led the way in the manufacture of toys, especially dolls. Common German toys included rattles and wheeled pull-toys for younger children. Musical toys such as whistles were also common among the young. [5] Adolescents played with tops, usually large and wooden, as well as marbles made of clay, and large hoops. Toy soldiers, hobby horses as well as other military toys, such as wooden swords and shields, were used as training devices for aspiring knights. [6] Ornately dressed dolls were often used by rulers as gifts for other regal women. [7] Rag dolls were especially prevalent among young girls.
Child Development
Often toys serve a dual purpose. Besides entertainment, toys also serve to enhance cognitive behaviour and to stimulate creativity. Toys for infants include those with distinguishable sounds, bright colors, and a unique feel. During this time, infants begin to recognize shapes, colors and after repetitive use, the nascent person attains familiarity with object reinforcing memory recollection. Coordination and other manual skills develop from subsequent childhood activities of interaction with toys. Marbles, jackstones, and stackable blocks requiring use of hands and bodies. Mental agility, beginning with childhood, is challenged by toyish puzzle of spatial relationships. Play-Doh, Silly Putty and other hands-on materials allow the child to make toys of their own. [8]
Educational toys for children of a greater age often contain some puzzle, problem-solving technique, or mathematical proposition. A popular toy for this age group was the Rubik's Cube. Popularized in the 1980s, solving the cube requires some planning and problem-solving skills. Newton's cradle, a desk toy designed by Simon Prebble, demonstrates the conservation of momentum and energy.
Unintended toys
After trying to create a replacement for synthetic rubber, Earl Warrick inadvertently invented "nutty putty" during World War II. Later, Peter Hodgson recognized the potential as a childhood plaything and packaged it as Silly Putty. Similarly, Play-Doh was created as a wallpaper cleaner. [9] In 1943 Richard James was experimenting with Torsion springs as part of his military research when he saw one come loose and fall to the floor. He was intrigued by the way it flopped around on the floor. He spent two years fine-tuning the design to find the best gauge of steel and coil. After a name change, the Slinky was sold as a toy for both genders in stores throughout the United States.