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If you’ve spent time around young children, chances are you’ve encountered Fisher-Price’s creations. Since its establishment in 1930, the company has been dedicated to crafting toys that spark creativity in kids. Here are 11 intriguing facts about their iconic products.
1. A mayor played a key role in co-founding Fisher-Price.
Herman Fisher, a salesman with a vision to improve toy quality in the 1930s, faced a setback when his attempt to purchase All Fair Toys, where he served as vice president, fell through. During a visit to the company’s East Aurora, New York offices, Irving Price, the town’s mayor, was impressed by Fisher’s idea of creating innovative and imaginative toys. He chose to invest $100,000, helping Fisher turn his dream into reality. By the mid-1930s, the company had achieved significant success.
2. The company might have been better named Fisher-Price-Schelle.
Helen Schelle, a toy store manager and designer from Binghamton, New York, previously worked at Fisher’s former toy company. When Fisher-Price was established, Schelle was appointed as secretary and treasurer, bringing innovative product ideas and playing a crucial role in the debut of their first 16 toys. Her industry connections were instrumental in helping the fledgling company gain traction. Fisher-Price acknowledges her omission from the company name on their website with a lighthearted note: “Sorry, Helen.”
3. The Snoopy Sniffer by Fisher-Price became an early sensation.
ThisOldToy
Fisher-Price gained popularity with its line of wooden pull-toys that moved or nodded when pulled, but the Snoopy Sniffer, introduced in 1938, stood out. This adorable beagle would follow its owner with its nose to the ground. Interestingly, the name “Snoopy” was already a common dog name at the time, predating Charles Schulz’s iconic Peanuts comic by 12 years.
4. Fisher-Price contributed to military production.
During World War II, Fisher-Price shifted its focus like many other manufacturers. The company halted nearly all toy production and repurposed its facilities to create ammunition crates, medical chests, and components for military aircraft [PDF].
5. Fisher-Price revolutionized toy testing with the play lab.
Fisher-Price
In 1961, Fisher-Price took a groundbreaking step by formalizing a concept that should have been obvious to toy manufacturers: testing products with their target audience—children. Their Play Lab allows kids to engage with new toy prototypes, evaluating their fun factor, usability, and ability to inspire creativity. Each year, approximately 1200 ideas are put to the test in this innovative space.
6. Fisher-Price faced a wood shortage at one point.
During the Depression, most toys were crafted from wood or tin. However, after World War II, the post-war housing boom led to a scarcity of wood. Fisher-Price began exploring plastic as an alternative, starting with the wings of their Buzzy Bee pull toy. By the late 1950s, half of their toys were made from plastic, a material that would eventually dominate the toy industry.
7. The Fisher-Price Little People originated from a bus.
Jose Lulz Rules via Flickr // CC BY 2.0
The small, stylized plastic figures in Fisher-Price playsets were initially fixed to the toys. However, the 1959 Safety Bus allowed children to remove the passengers, sparking endless imaginative play. (The driver remained stationary.) This innovation led to a whole series of playsets featuring these movable, round-headed figures, though it wasn’t until the 1970s that the first black Little People figure was added.
8. The Fisher-Price Little People Farm temporarily lost its iconic moo.
For a short time, the company’s beloved farm playset no longer produced the familiar mooing sound when children opened the barn doors. According to Fisher-Price, this change caused significant backlash from parents, leading to the sound being promptly reinstated.
9. Fisher-Price created an affordable video camera beloved by filmmakers.
Fisher-Price’s PXL-2000 camcorder broke from its usual target audience by appealing to teenagers seeking a budget-friendly ($100) video camera during the late 1980s camcorder boom. The device recorded footage on audio cassette tapes, resulting in a grainy, pixelated image. Despite its technical flaws and quick discontinuation, the PXL-2000’s unique visual style became a favorite among avant-garde artists. Known as “Pixelvision,” it was used for experimental films and mood pieces. The 25th annual PXL THIS film festival, celebrating this quirky device, will take place on May 19 at Los Angeles' Echo Park Film Center.
10. Fisher-Price secured the Corn Popper for just $50.
If you’ve spent time in a home with toddlers, you’ve likely heard the distinctive tock-tock-tock of Fisher-Price’s Corn Popper. This two-wheeled toy bounces balls inside a clear dome, creating a noisy yet captivating experience. Fisher-Price secured the rights to this design from Arthur Holt for just $50 in 1957.
11. An early Fisher-Price toy can sell for up to $9500.
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During your next yard sale visit, watch for Push Cart Pete, one of Fisher-Price’s earliest wooden pull toys made from Ponderosa pine. Released in 1936, its rarity allows it to fetch up to $9500 among collectors. Similarly, the 1937 Donald and Donna Duck duo, part of Fisher-Price’s early Disney collaborations, can be worth around $5000.
