18 Toys That Were Inspired by Real Events
Historical events, scientific discoveries, and cultural moments influenced some of the most popular toys ever.
- Chris Graciano
- 5 min read
Many childhood favorites weren’t just random creations but were actually shaped by real-world happenings. From space exploration to military innovations, these toys reflected the times in which they were made. Here are 18 toys that owe their existence to actual events.
1. G.I. Joe (Inspired by World War II and the U.S. Military)
Brecht Bug on Flickr
Launched in 1964, G.I. Joe was heavily influenced by real-life soldiers and wartime heroism. The toy line reflected America’s military culture, evolving from basic action figures to highly detailed representations of different service branches.
2. Barbie (Inspired by the German Bild Lilli Doll and Women’s Empowerment Movements)
Dolls ’n Stuff on Flickr
Ruth Handler created Barbie after seeing a German doll called Bild Lilli, but the concept was also shaped by shifting gender roles. As women gained more career opportunities, Barbie reflected those changes with various professions.
3. Hot Wheels (Inspired by the Muscle Car Era of the 1960s)
Jeffrey Grospe on Unsplash
During the ’60s, American muscle cars dominated the roads, and Hot Wheels brought that craze to the toy scale. The sleek designs and high-speed tracks mirrored real car culture.
4. Transformers (Inspired by Japan’s Technology Boom and Robotics Advancements)
Sham Hardy n Flickr
With Japan leading in robotics and mecha culture in the ’80s, toy companies saw an opportunity. Transformers combined futuristic tech with playability, drawing inspiration from real-world automation.
5. Playmobil (Inspired by the 1973 Oil Crisis and Plastic Shortages)
noe** on Flickr
The iconic Playmobil figures were designed to use less plastic during economic and material shortages. Their simplistic but imaginative design helped them become a staple in toy boxes worldwide.
6. LEGO Space Sets (Inspired by the Apollo Moon Landing)
Scarlet Sappho on Flickr
When humans landed on the Moon in 1969, kids everywhere dreamed of space travel. LEGO capitalized on this excitement with space-themed sets, allowing children to build their own interstellar adventures.
7. Cabbage Patch Kids (Inspired by Appalachian Folk Art and Adoption Movements)
fishhawk on Flickr
These wildly popular dolls were based on soft-sculpture creations by Xavier Roberts, inspired by folk art traditions. Their adoption certificate concept aligned with increasing awareness of adoption during the ’80s.
8. My Little Pony (Inspired by the Equestrian Boom of the 1980s)
Hina Ichigo on Flickr
As horse riding and equestrian clubs gained popularity, toymakers saw an opportunity to create a fantasy-based horse toy. My Little Pony took inspiration from real-world horse care and competitions while adding a magical twist.
9. Tamagotchi (Inspired by Japan’s Love for Tech Gadgets and the Digital Pet Trend)
COSMOH LOVE on Unsplash
Japanese technology revolutionized everyday life during the ’90s, and Tamagotchi reflected this shift. The concept of a virtual pet resonated with kids, mimicking real-world responsibilities.
10. Beanie Babies (Inspired by the Stock Market and Collectible Craze of the ’90s)
Extra Medium on Flickr
The idea of limited-edition toys mirroring financial speculation led to the Beanie Babies craze. Ty Warner capitalized on scarcity marketing, making certain toys feel like investments.
11. Stretch Armstrong (Inspired by 1970s Scientific Advancements in Elastic Materials)
Mike Mozart on Flickr
This stretchy, goo-filled toy came from developments in flexible polymers and materials research. Scientists were exploring new synthetic compounds, and toymakers saw a fun application.
12. View-Master (Inspired by Stereoscopic Photography Used in Military Training)
ThePassenger on Wikimedia Commons
Originally developed as an educational tool, View-Master was inspired by the stereoscopic images used to train soldiers in World War II. It quickly transitioned into a children’s toy, allowing kids to explore the world in 3D.
13. Nerf Guns (Inspired by Soft Ammunition Used in Military Training)
Marco Hazard on Wikimedia Commons
Foam-based projectile technology was initially developed for safer military training exercises. Nerf turned this idea into a fun, safe way for kids to play without causing injury.
14. Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots (Inspired by Boxing’s Popularity in the 1960s)
Thewhipsofficial on Wikimedia Commons
During the golden era of boxing, when Muhammad Ali and other legends dominated the sport, this toy brought the ring home. The idea of two battling robots captured the thrill of a real match.
15. Polly Pocket (Inspired by Miniature Dollhouse Trends and Compact Living Designs)
dodo W on Flickr
The original Polly Pocket was created by a dad who wanted a tiny, portable dollhouse for his daughter. It mirrored the rising trend of compact, space-saving designs in real-world architecture.
16. Slinky (Inspired by a Naval Engineer’s Accidental Discovery of Coil Springs)
Adam Valstar on Unsplash
During World War II, engineer Richard James was working with tension coils when he noticed their ability to “walk” down surfaces. This led to the creation of the Slinky, a simple yet mesmerizing toy.
17. Rubik’s Cube (Inspired by Architectural and Engineering Challenges in the 1970s)
Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik invented the cube to teach students about 3D spatial relationships. What started as a classroom tool quickly became a worldwide puzzle craze.
18. Tickle Me Elmo (Inspired by the Boom of Interactive Toys in the ’90s)
Mike Mozart on Flickr
With technology making toys more interactive, the idea of a plush that laughed when touched became a hit. The rise of talking and motion-sensitive toys set the stage for Elmo’s record-breaking success.