| Toy facts | The ancestor of the game 'draughts' was first played in 4000 BC Marbles were played with in Egypt in 2000 BC Roller skates were invented by Joseph Merlin in 1759 Meccano first sold in the UK in 1901 - it was invented by Frank Hornby Frank Hornby makes his first first '0' gauge clockwork model trains in 1914 The first 'Toy Of The Year' was awarded in 1965 ... It was given to the James Bond Aston Martin from Corgi. Top reasons for buying a toy: - Toy safety
- Educational toy
- Price
- Durability of the toy
- Well designed
- Toy the child specifically wanted
- The brand/manufacturer is well known
- The toy was unlikely to go out of fashion in the near future
- It was a toy you could add to or buy accessories for
- It was a toy suitable for various age groups
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Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, in conjunction with the V&A Museum of Childhood, is pleased to present 'Must Have Toys' - the ultimate exhibition of the most sought after toys from the last century. From Star Wars to Harry Potter, from Bionic Woman to Bionicles, from Meccano to K'Nex, and from Care Bears to Furby, Must Have Toys is the most comprehensive collection of desirable toys ever seen in the UK. This is an exhibition for all generations - everyone remembers their 'must have' toy. It explores tastes, trends, crazes and manufacturing techniques over time. Where would toy manufacturers be for example without plastic? First used to make toys in the 1930s, it's a favourite with children, and without it the likes of Mr Potato Head, Lego and Bob the Builder would not have made it into the toy box.
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Some classics just keep on going, the spinning tops and teddy bears that our grandparents loved can still be found in childrens' bedrooms today - it's just that nowadays they may take the shape of Beyblades and Teletubbies. Other favourites might come as quite a surprise, such as the Britain's Combine Harvester - the number 1 toy in 1978. Were you a Sindy or a Barbie girl? Or maybe there was there an Action Man you weren't allowed, but envied in the playground? We know that Tiny Tears did much more than cry, but did you know that it wasn't until the Swinging Sixties that dolls were made for boys as well as girls? Explore the phenomenal influence of film and television on the toy industry, and the emergence of merchandise, which exploded on to the scene with Star Wars and paved the way for some of the most desirable toys of all time: Buzz Lightyear, Power Rangers, Tracy Island and more recently, Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express. In addition to plenty of hands-on opportunities for children (and adults!), there will be a busy programme of activities and special events during the Easter holidays. Call Tullie House on 01228 534664 for further information on opening hours, ticket prices etc. The exhibition opens Saturday 5 February and runs until Sunday 15 May. If you've a picture of your favourite toy, why not send it in - we'll add it to our toy gallery for all to see. | 
