Evolution of the American Toy Industry Post World War II

In the early to mid-1900s American children played with simple toy trains, wooden rocking horses, jacks and baby dolls. In 2007, American children play with an unbelievable range of toys from dolls that can sing to elaborate video games. And for toys to gain the approval of American children, they must be branded with Dora the Explorer, Harry Potter, Spiderman or another one of the latest hit shows or movies. Though many factors played a role in changing the American toy industry, a few can be attributed with profoundly changing the nature of the business in the post World War II period.