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Richard Gottlieb

Toy Fads
January 23, 2008

Those of you who read this blog and my columns know that I find our industry worthy of study and commentary. We are serious people engaged in serious work. By shaping the way children play, we shape, we reflect, and we anticipate the way the next generation of adults will function. No less (and maybe more) than great writers, philosophers, and generals, we help write the future of the world.

It was therefore with some pleasure that I read a January 20, 2008 New York Times article by John Schwartz with the wonderful title “The Joy of Silly.” Here are a couple of quotes I like:

“. . . Toy fads [are] ‘a surprisingly serious subject…the toys that make it big say a lot about the societies that love them.”
Edward Tenner, “Our Own Devices: How Technology Remakes Humanity”

“I’m not sure that fads aren’t fertilizer to American culture.”

Ray B. Browne, founder of The Journal of Popular Culture

Sometimes we are surprised when individuals, institutions, the press and even governments criticize us for the impact we have on children's behavior. After all, we think, we are just making toys. Well we are but we are also changing lives and impacting the future. Everyone else seems to recognize that. Maybe it's time we did as well.

Posted by Richard Gottlieb on January 23, 2008 | Comments (3)

January 23, 2008
In response to: Toy Fads
antonio jarimba commented:

Hello Richard: Thank you for the NYT link. You are doing an excellent job. It helps me alot, it just shows me that i am in the right direction with my projects. I read all the comments about "the joy of silly". It nice to hear that peopple want to have fun. Looking forward to more happy news. J.A.J. outdoor family sports developer

January 23, 2008
In response to: Toy Fads
Joey commented:

Hi Richard, As an undergraduate business student looking into industries to get involved in, I am so glad you wrote this entry. You have put into words what I try to explain to people when I tell them that I don't want to go into the mortgage industry or investment banking. Being involved in something that means something to you is much more important. Thanks dude

January 30, 2008
In response to: Toy Fads
Frank commented:

Mr. Gottlieb: Your comments on "Toy Fads" is right on the spot. Any kind of play, be it board games or toys, have an impact on the person involved. In many cases it ignites the mentioned emotion of the "Joy of Silly". None can surpass the impact that our beloved Richard Knerr, the co-founder of Wham-O has had on several generations. Mr Knerr's inventions evoked that "Joy of Silly" on tens of thousands or more of people all across the world May Mr. Knerr rest in peace, for he passed away at age 82 on January 18, 2008. Respectfully submitted: Frank