Three Toys Chosen to Enter Toy Hall of Fame

Three Toys Chosen to Enter Toy Hall of Fame

The latest products chosen to enter America's National Toy Hall of Fame include a toy dating to ancient times, an art set that uses lights and a series of action figures.

The hall recently announced this year's choices: the top, Masters of the Universe and Lite-Brite. The three were chosen from a group of 12 finalists that also included bingo, Nerf, the piñata, Pound Puppies and Spirograph.

The Toy Hall of Fame accepts a new class of toys each year in a ceremony at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

The three toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame on Nov. 10, 2022 (Courtesy of The Strong Museum via AP)

The three toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame on Nov. 10, 2022 (Courtesy of The Strong Museum via AP)

The top has long been a common childhood toy in cultures in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia. The Hall of Fame noted¹ that ancient Greek art shows people playing with the spinning objects more than 2,000 years ago.

The hall recognizes toys that have inspired creativity and remained popular over time.

Christopher Bensch is vice² president for collections at the Museum of Play. He said in a news release, "With more than 5,000 years of history behind it, it's about time that the top spun³ its way into the National Toy Hall of Fame!"

The Lite-Brite art set was introduced by the Hasbro toy company in 1966 and has remained popular. Marketed in 1968 as a "magic light box," the toy permits children to create glowing pictures by pushing colorful play pieces into a black background.

Mattel's Masters of the Universe toys grew in popularity in the 1980s, after creation of the television series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Hall of Fame experts said the show permitted Mattel to introduce new characters and toys to the line. The series remains⁴ popular and Netflix currently has a Masters of the Universe program.

Michelle Parnett-Dwyer is a collector at the Museum of Play. She said Mattel understood that kids "spend lots of time in fantasy play" and like the chance to imagine themselves as a hero. "Masters of the Universe characters had the strength, weapons, and power to defeat the villain⁵—and give kids confidence."

The three new members of the Hall of Fame join past choices that included everyday objects like the stick and cardboard box, the board game Risk, as well as technology entries such as Nintendo's Game Boy.

Anyone can nominate a toy. A panel of experts chooses the winners.

Words in This Story

inspire – v. to give or create motivation and encouragement to do something

glow – v. to give off light

fantasy – n. an imaginary situation or story

villain – n. a bad or evil person, usually one who commits crimes

confidence – n. feeling secure about one's abilities or in one's beliefs

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

3 spun   

v.纺，杜撰，急转身

参考例句：

• His grandmother spun him a yarn at the fire.他奶奶在火炉边给他讲故事。
• Her skilful fingers spun the wool out to a fine thread.她那灵巧的手指把羊毛纺成了细毛线。

4 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

5 villain   

n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因

参考例句：

• He was cast as the villain in the play.他在戏里扮演反面角色。
• The man who played the villain acted very well.扮演恶棍的那个男演员演得很好。