Little People by Fisher Price
Little People is the name of a toy brand for
preschoolers, originally produced by Fisher-Price in the
1960s as the Play Family.
The current product line consists of playsets, mini-sets and
accessories, books, CDs, and DVDs focusing on various
configurations
of five characters named Eddie, Sarah Lynn, Maggie, Michael and
Sonya Lee.
The “Little People” name, registered and trademarked by
Fisher-Price in 1985, came from Fisher-Price following the lead
of
consumers who referred to the early Play Family playsets as
“those little people”.
Little People started in 1950 with the "Looky Fire Truck"
and three round-headed fire men (attached permanently to the
toy).
Following the success of this toy, in 1952 and 1953
Fisher-Price developed the "Super-Jet" and "Racing
Rowboat".
Another early Little People precursor, the "Safety School
Bus", was introduced in 1959. The set included a school bus
together
with six independent figures made out of tall skinny pegs of
cardboard tubes wrapped in lithographs simulating clothes.
The toy gained instant popularity and other sets soon came
out.
Little People Play
Family
In 1960, Fisher-Price introduced two additional toys with
removable figures; "Snorky the Fire Engine" and the "Nifty
Station Wagon".
The Nifty Station Wagon came with two adult figures and one
child figure, thus the first "Play Family" was born. Today, the
Play
Family name is still used throughout Europe instead of the name
"Little People".
A Nifty Station Wagon in mint condition, in the box, could
command up to $600 among toy collectors.
In February of 1991, the last Little Person rolled off the
production lines, bringing the final tally to somewhere
over
800,000,000 Little People. Slowly, toy stores began to sell off
the last of their Little People back stock; the original
Little
People molds were destroyed, and various machines were retooled
to create the new, "cuter, chunkier" line of Little People,
as
presented at the 1991 Toy Fair in New York.
But what of the "new" Little People? Have they not the
icon-like qualities from which instant adoration arises?
In my humble opinion, no. Fisher-Price has sacrificed the
vaguely-human shape, and over 20 years of playful familiarity,
for a
freakish fun-house mirror substitute. Now, youngsters can look
forward to memories of playing with fat Little People and a dog
that ... actually has legs.
The Little People aren't little anymore, but the memories
live on. If you'll excuse me, I have to go play.

ORDER TODAY Fisher Price
Nativity Set at
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