12 Toys with Unexpected Origins
Here's a fascinating look at beloved toys that began with surprising or unusual backstories.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Many childhood favorites didn’t start as simple playthings. Some were born from science experiments, wartime inventions, or even household accidents. Here are 12 toys with origins that might make you look at your old favorites in a completely new way.
1. Play-Doh Started as Wallpaper Cleaner
Letstown on Wikimedia Commons
Before it became a colorful craft staple, Play-Doh was sold to remove soot from walls. Once coal heating faded, the product nearly disappeared until someone realized kids loved molding it.
2. Slinky Was a Ship Stabilizer Mistake
Tara Winstead on Pexels
The famous spring toy came from a naval engineer experimenting with tension springs to stabilize ship instruments. When one fell and “walked” across the floor, the idea for Slinky was born.
3. Silly Putty Came from World War II Research
Steve Berry on Flickr
Scientists were trying to create synthetic rubber for wartime use when Silly Putty emerged. The bouncy, stretchy goo was useless for military purposes but perfect for kids.
4. Frisbees Were Once Pie Tins
Marijn van der Marel on Unsplash
College students used to toss empty pie tins around for fun long before Frisbees existed. A toy company saw the potential and refined the flying disc into a safer, smoother version.
5. Etch A Sketch Came from TV Screen Technology
Ieatflower on Wikimedia Commons
The iconic drawing toy was inspired by a mechanic who worked with screen-printing powders. His design used aluminum powder and static electricity to create erasable art.
6. Nerf Balls Were Invented as Indoor Safe Toys
Mike Mozart on Flickr
The original Nerf ball wasn’t meant for sports; it was a soft foam ball created for safe indoor play. Toy makers realized parents would love something that wouldn’t break lamps.
7. Mr. Potato Head Used to Require Real Produce
dollyhaul on Flickr
Before the plastic potato body existed, kids were expected to stick facial pieces into real potatoes and other vegetables. After complaints about rotting food, the company added the iconic brown spud base.
8. Super Soaker Came from a NASA Engineer
Adrian Liem on Flickr
The creator of the Super Soaker was an aerospace engineer testing a new cooling system. When he accidentally blasted water across the room, he realized he’d invented the ultimate squirt gun.
9. LEGO Bricks Originated as Wooden Toys
Xavi Cabrera on Unsplash
The first LEGOs were handcrafted wooden blocks made in Denmark. Only after the company experimented with plastic did the interlocking brick system emerge.
10. Barbie Was Inspired by a German Doll
PickPik
Barbie’s creator discovered a stylish adult doll named Bild Lilli while traveling in Europe. She reimagined it as a wholesome fashion doll for American kids.
11. Bubble Wrap Was Originally Wallpaper
Chrysti Hydeck on Flickr
Bubble wrap began as a textured wallpaper concept that flopped with consumers. Inventors later realized its protective potential for shipping fragile items.
12. Rubik’s Cube Was a Teaching Tool
Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Ernő Rubik created the cube to teach his students about 3D geometry. He didn’t even realize it could be scrambled until he twisted it and couldn’t solve it immediately.