She wasn't pleased- we didn't have a lot of spare money, and this was tantamount to wasting food. I had a wizened specimen from the bag, and no chance of a second one to make a friend for MrPH.
Bob checked up - and yes, although the toy was first marketed in 1952, Hasbro didn't include a plastic spud [with holes] till 1964. This was due to concerns about children playing with rotting vegetables and the features having pins which were sharp enough to pierce the skin of the tubers!
I feel this must have reduced the play value somewhat. No opportunity to put the ears at different levels, or make him cross eyed, because the holes were already determined. I'm not sure Liz or Steph ever had one. Of course, the arrival of Toy Story in 1995 caused a resurgence of interest. Earlier this year Hasbro announced that the character was going gender neutral.
Then they backtracked a little. They tweeted "Hold that Tot – your main spud, MR. POTATO HEAD isn’t going anywhere! While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand name & logo are dropping the ‘MR.’ I yam proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD aren’t going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD" In future you will get 1 small and 2 large bodies, and a selection of 42 features in your box to create your own Potato Head Family. [but the original Mr & Mrs PH as seen in Toy Story will still be available] There will also be a 'wider palette of colours'
No, I didn't play with a Potato Head toy when I was a child. I don't think my daughter had one, either! Obviously, we both had very deprived childhoods! :D
ReplyDeleteI played with Mr Potato Head when I was a child and was very disappointed when I wanted one for a harvest sermon and discovered that it had a plastic potato.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could get Hasbro to manufacture one with additional clergy vestments - bishops mitre, stole etc!
DeleteWhat a thought!
DeleteI never had one and neither did my 3 - always seemed a bit pointless. Shan't bother for any of the 5 littlies either.
ReplyDelete:D
DeleteI never heard of it till Toy Story but I did know about spudguns. My sister wanted one as a teenager but the nearest she got was some plastic guns with plastic balls. Obviously, I don't want to buy anything plastic Now! I like the idea of being able to dress up a real potato.
ReplyDeletePotato printing was much more fun.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree!
DeleteI remember them but I don't think our son had one. Your comment about all the plastic resonates. So much cheap plastic in toys, and toys, like other consumer items, tend towards throwaway now. Also there are so many electronic toys, like classic board games revamped to need batteries. I tried to avoid giving any battery toys when granddaughter was tiny but she soon accumulated some. However, standard board games, art supplies and Lego were still her favourites when she was growing up, as well as a zillion "stuffies".
ReplyDeleteWhy DO they have to revamp oldies and add batteries and flashing lights?
DeleteI had the set where you used a real potato. It must have been in the 50's. Also enjoyed doing some potato printing to make greeting cards.
ReplyDeleteI think potatoes and carrots are underrated! We eat them a lot. I scrub them but rarely peel them.
Carrots are my favourite vegetable I think - I love their sweetness in cakes, and crispness raw in salads, as well as the delicious taste when cooked. And you can cut them into batons, chunks or 'coins' as well as grating them. So versatile
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