Retro Room
Invented by Ernő Rubik, this 1980s puzzle craze was originally patented and sold in Hungary under the name "The Magic Cube."
Rubik's Cube
Inside the dark blue liquid of a Magic 8 Ball, answers like "Signs point to yes" are printed on the faces of this specific, 20-sided geometric shape
icosahedron
This is the full, formal fictional name of Barbie’s iconic male partner doll, who was introduced to the Mattel line in 1961
Ken Carson (Accept: Ken)
Invented by a stonemason named Charles Pajeau, this 1914 building toy relies on wooden hubs and dowels to build architectural frameworks
Tinkertoys
This British brand of die-cast toy vehicles got its name because the original toys were small enough to fit inside a small wooden cylinder that kids took to school
Matchbox
This toy looks like a miniature television screen with two handles, allowing kids to insert circular cardboard discs containing 14 film frames to view 3D stories
View-Master
Invented by Edward Craven Walker, this scientific novelty toy relies on a lightbulb to heat a proprietary mixture of mineral oil and paraffin wax
Lava Lamp
Created by Carter Bryant and MGA Entertainment, the four original 2001 debut dolls of this edgy fashion line were named Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha, and Jade
Bratz dolls
This Canadian toy brand is Lego's primary historical rival, famous for its oversized toddler blocks and high-quality military and gaming construction sets
Mega Bloks (Accept: Mega Construx)
This specialized Nerf sub-brand bypasses standard foam darts in favor of spring-loaded or motorized blasters that shoot small, high-velocity polyurethane foam rounds
Nerf Rival
Originating in Hawaii, these circular, decorated cardboard caps became a massive schoolyard craze and collection hobby in the mid-1990s
Pogs
This sticky, stretchy polymer toy from the 1980s is shaped like an octopus and relies on a unique compound to slowly crawl down walls
Wacky Wall Walker
Created in Japan in 1985, this collectible line of flocked, velvet-textured animal families is known as Sylvanian Families internationally, but goes by this name in North America
Calico Critters
Invented by Frank Hornby in 1901, this classic building system utilizes perforated metal strips, plates, and brass gears fastened with miniature nuts and bolts
Meccano (Accept: Erector Set)
This early 2000s customizable spinning top franchise requires players to launch their tops into a plastic Beystadium using a rip-cord mechanism
Beyblades
Released by Hasbro in 1996, the original model of this handheld electronic reaction game featured four specific actions: Bop it, Twist it, Pull it, and Spin it
Bop It
: Invented by accident during WWII while trying to create a synthetic rubber substitute, this putty-like substance was famously sold in colorful plastic eggs
Silly Putty
Originally created by Chris Wiggs for his daughter using a makeup compact, this tiny micro-doll brand was licensed by Bluebird Toys before being bought by Mattel
Polly Pocket
Invented by Joel Glickman, this 1990s building system relies on flexible plastic rods that snap into interlocking, snowflake-shaped connectors
K'NEX
Invented by nuclear engineer Lonnie Johnson, this revolutionary 1990s water gun brand was originally marketed under the name "The Power Drencher."
Super Soaker
Before being bought by Coleco, these soft-sculpture dolls were originally called "Little People," handmade by their creator at the Babyland General Hospital in Georgia
Cabbage Patch Kids
: Developed by British engineer Denys Fisher in the 1960s, this drafting toy uses a system of plastic gears and colored pens to draw complex mathematical hypotrochoids
Spirograph
This highly successful Mattel franchise features fashion dolls inspired by classic monster movies, who all attend a high school located in New Salem
Monster High
Developed by a valet parking company owner named Val Jones, these geometric, translucent building tiles are famous for having ceramic magnets welded into their edges
Magna-Tiles
These scale-model electric racing cars draw power from a hot track groove using metal guide blades, controlled by hand-held rheostat triggers
Slot Cars