The History of Toys, 1900 to the Present Audiobook By Chris Byrne, The Great Courses cover art

The History of Toys, 1900 to the Present

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The History of Toys, 1900 to the Present

By: Chris Byrne, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Chris Byrne
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About this listen

Imaginative play is a crucial part of growing up. It has a major impact on cognitive, emotional, and intellectual development. It’s also a joyous activity that gifts us with some of our fondest and most resilient childhood memories. Toys and games have long been a part of childhood, but the 20th century saw the rise of an entire industry devoted to the business of play, one that would constantly evolve over the years to reflect the rapid changes of the 20th and 21st centuries.

In the six lectures of The History of Toys, 1900 to the Present, consultant and toy industry expert Chris Byrne—also known as The Toy Guy®—will take you on a journey through the world of toys from the Edwardian era to our current moment. Beginning with the birth of the mass-market toy industry, you’ll trace the many transformations of toys and our shifting theories of play and childhood development. From Lionel Trains and Barbie to G.I. Joe and LEGO® to Tickle Me Elmo, you’ll see how these beloved playthings reflect our ideas—and our ideals—of childhood, reinforce social rules and cultural expectations, showcase new technology, and so much more.

Toys are no longer just the purview of children and their parents—our love of toys and imaginative play has become a more acceptable part of adult life, too. As you consider both the short-lived fads and the enduring games and gadgets of the past, you’ll see that, while toys and the place they have in our lives may change, one thing remains constant: our human need for play as a tool of discovery, development, and understanding of the world around us.

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About the Creator

A 35-year-plus veteran of the toy industry, Chris Byrne, aka The Toy Guy®, held major marketing and creative positions in the early part of his career. Since 1988, he has run Byrne Communications, Inc., a consultancy that works in product development, strategic planning, organizational development, and marketing. He consults on entertainment and licensing projects (animated and live action) and speaks extensively on the role and benefits of play in child development. He appears on TV talking about toys and play in the U.S. and around the world, including the Emmy-winning Live with Kelly and Mark, where he is a regular guest. He is the author of countless articles in trade and consumer press and seven books on the toy industry and play, including Toy Time: A Look Back at the Most Beloved Toys of the 1950s to the 1980s. His book Funny Business, Harnessing the Power of Play to Give Your Business a Competitive Advantage, has been used in a variety of industries to foster innovation. They Came to Play is a history of the toy industry and the Toy Association 1916-2016. He is also the author of the textbook An Introduction to the U.S. Toy Industry: Serious Fun, which is used in undergraduate and graduate business programs. The third edition was released in 2023. He creates and facilitates corporate training programs designed to inspire play and creativity as a springboard to innovation. He speaks internationally, regularly consults to the investment community about the business of toys, and is the creator and host of the industry-facing show The Playground Podcast, with more than 200 episodes over six seasons.

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