What was the first action figure toy?

The first action figure, G.I. Joe, was introduced by Hasbro in 1964 and was a major milestone in the toy industry. Before this, most toys for boys were either vehicles, model kits, or playsets. The concept of an articulated, poseable figure designed for action play was revolutionary at the time.

Background of Hasbro and G.I. Joe:

Hasbro is an American toy company founded in 1923. Initially, the company produced games and other types of toys, but it became internationally renowned for its work in the action figure and toy industries, particularly with the G.I. Joe brand.

The idea for G.I. Joe came about when Hasbro's product development team, led by Stan Weston, saw the opportunity to create a toy that would engage boys in more imaginative, action-oriented play. Inspired by the growing interest in military toys and movies, Hasbro's G.I. Joe line introduced a 12-inch figure, which was a significant departure from traditional dolls aimed at girls. These figures could be posed and equipped with a variety of accessories such as guns, uniforms, and vehicles, sparking creativity in kids and allowing them to reenact military scenarios.

Over time, G.I. Joe grew into a massive brand with multiple iterations, evolving into different scales, including the smaller 3.75-inch figures that became standard in the 1980s. The brand also expanded into comics, cartoons, and movies, and continues to be one of the most iconic action figure lines in history.

Evolution of G.I. Joe:

• The original 12-inch G.I. Joe action figures were sold as part of the Adventure Team series in the 1970s, moving away from military themes and incorporating more adventurous elements like exploration and rescue missions.
• In the 1980s, G.I. Joe was revamped into the more widely recognized 3.75-inch figures, which became a staple for the brand.
• Over the years, Hasbro has expanded the G.I. Joe universe with numerous vehicles, playsets, and a variety of themed figures.

Current Day:

The G.I. Joe brand is still active today, with collectible action figures, video games, and movies continuing to be produced. The brand has experienced several revivals, with a focus on both nostalgic collectors and new generations of fans.

You can learn more about G.I. Joe and explore their action figure collections on their official website or through Wikipedia.

• Wikipedia: G.I. Joe - Wikipedia
• Official Hasbro website: Hasbro - G.I. Joe

This history of G.I. Joe as the first action figure is significant, as it laid the groundwork for a whole new genre of toys that would go on to dominate the market and inspire countless other iconic action figure brands.