15 Classic Toys That Had Strange Origins You Never Knew About
The toys you loved as a kid have some bizarre, unexpected beginnings.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Some of the most popular childhood toys have stories that are just as fascinating as the toys themselves. A few were created for completely different reasons, while others were happy accidents that turned into massive hits. Some even started as products meant for adults but ended up in toy boxes everywhere. These classics may seem ordinary now, but their unexpected beginnings make them even more interesting.
1. The Slinky Was an Engineering Mistake
Ramona Trusheim on Wikimedia Commons
The Slinky was never meant to be a toy. It was invented by accident when a naval engineer, Richard James, was working on stabilizing ship equipment. One of his metal springs fell and “walked” across the floor, inspiring what became one of the most famous toys ever.
2. Play-Doh Started as a Wallpaper Cleaner
Letstown on Wikimedia Commons
Before kids were sculpting animals and shapes, Play-Doh was actually a household cleaning product. It was originally made to remove soot from wallpaper, but when demand for coal-burning stoves dropped, the formula was repurposed as a children’s modeling compound.
3. Silly Putty Was a War-Time Experiment
University of the Fraser Valley on Wikimedia Commons
Silly Putty was born out of an attempt to create synthetic rubber during World War II. Scientists stumbled upon a stretchy, bouncy substance that was ultimately useless for industrial purposes but perfect for entertaining kids.
4. The Super Soaker Was Created by a NASA Engineer
Airman 1st Class Allen Stokes on Wikimedia Commons
The Super Soaker was not originally designed for summer water fights. NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson was working on a new heat pump system when he accidentally shot a stream of water across the room, leading to the creation of the high-powered water blaster.
5. The Yo-Yo Has Ancient Origins
Judgefloro on Wikimedia Commons
The yo-yo is much older than you might think. Versions of it date back to ancient Greece, where it was used as a toy and a hunting tool. Some early designs even featured intricate carvings and were made from precious materials.
6. Barbie Was Inspired by a German Doll for Adults
Ovedc on Wikimedia Commons
Barbie’s origins are far from child-friendly. The doll was inspired by a German adult novelty toy named Bild Lilli, originally sold as a gag gift for men before Ruth Handler transformed it into the iconic fashion doll.
7. The Frisbee Started as a Pie Tin
Usien on Wikimedia Commons
College students in the 1940s turned empty pie tins from the Frisbie Baking Company into makeshift flying discs. The idea caught on, leading to the official plastic Frisbee that we know today.
8. Mr. Potato Head Was Originally Just a Box of Plastic Parts
Deror_avi on Wikimedia Commons
When Mr. Potato Head was first sold, it did not come with a plastic body. The original set only included plastic facial features that kids could poke into real potatoes or other vegetables from their kitchen.
9. The Rubik’s Cube Was a Teaching Tool
Lars Karlsson (Keqs) on Wikimedia Commons
Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik designed the cube as a way to explain spatial relationships to his students. It was never meant to be a global puzzle phenomenon, but it quickly became one of the best-selling toys of all time.
10. LEGO Bricks Were Inspired by a Lesser-Known Toy
Ralf Roletschek on Wikimedia Commons
LEGO did not start from scratch. The design was based on a British toy called Kiddicraft, which featured interlocking plastic bricks. LEGO refined the concept and turned it into the building empire it is today.
11. The Teddy Bear Was Inspired by a Presidential Hunting Trip
Diego Delso on Wikimedia Commons
The teddy bear owes its name to President Theodore Roosevelt. After refusing to shoot a tied-up bear on a hunting trip, a toymaker created a stuffed bear in his honor, quickly becoming a beloved children’s toy.
12. The View-Master Was Created for Educational Purposes
L’Ospite Inatteso on Wikimedia Commons
The View-Master was not originally a toy—it was developed as an educational tool to display scenic images and learning materials. It was later marketed as a children’s toy when people realized how entertaining it was.
13. The Etch A Sketch Was a Glass Powder Experiment
Ieatflower on Wikimedia Commons
A French electrician experimenting with aluminum powder accidentally created the Etch-A-Sketch’s signature drawing mechanism. The toy became a hit after being showcased at a toy fair and picked up by a major company.
14. The Magic 8-Ball Was Based on a Fortune-Telling Device
Everaldo Coelho (YellowIcon) on Wikimedia Commons
The Magic 8-Ball originated from a fortune-telling device called the “Syco-Seer,” created by a clairvoyant’s son. It was later redesigned as a toy and became a staple for answering life’s biggest questions with a shake.
15. Hot Wheels Were Inspired by Custom Car Culture
Joost J. Bakker on Wikimedia Commons
Hot Wheels cars were not just mini replicas of real vehicles. They were designed to reflect California’s custom car culture, featuring exaggerated designs and flashy paint jobs that made them stand out from other toy cars.