Our Toys for Tots Drive brought back memories of our own childhood and the toys that brought us joy and made lasting memories. Believe it or not, some of our “greatest hits list of toys” originated more than a hundred years ago! Do you remember your favorite toy? Here are some of ours, along with a bit of each toy’s backstory.

1886: BB Guns – Remembered by Bernard Andryshak, Plumber

• Origin: First manufactured by the Daisy Manufacturing Company as a promotional item, BB guns were given away with the purchase of 2 iron windmills used on farms and rural residences to pump water. But the BB gun was more popular than the windmills, and it quickly became the company’s main product.
• Cultural Moment: The Red Ryder BB Gun, introduced in 1940, became a staple of boyhood and gained legendary status in the movie A Christmas Story.
• Fascinating Fact: Over 9 million Red Ryder BB Guns have been sold, cementing it as a nostalgic holiday favorite. When you mention BB guns, someone is sure to quip, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” a line uttered by Ralphie’s Mother in A Christmas Story.

1932: LEGO (Plastic Bricks Patented in 1958) - Remembered by Steven Hopler, AC tech, and Jake Johnson, AC installer

• Origin: Founded in Denmark by Ole Kirk Christiansen, LEGO started as a wooden toy company before transitioning to its iconic plastic bricks.
• Cultural Moment: By 1958, the interlocking brick system was patented, revolutionizing construction toys.
• Fascinating Fact: Now, more than sixty-six years later, more than 36,000 LEGO bricks are produced every minute, and all bricks since 1958 are compatible. Now, Lego art is complex and beautiful. Kits can be made to create floral bouquets, architectural models of buildings, replicas of cars, trucks, planes, and even reproductions of famous oil paintings.

1947: Tonka Trucks – Remembered by Billy Gouty, Owner

• Origin: Originally a manufacturer of garden tools, the company shifted to toys with its first sturdy metal truck.
• Cultural Moment: These durable trucks became synonymous with outdoor play and imaginative construction scenarios. The bright yellow Tonka Mighty Dump Truck was introduced in 1965 and became their best-selling toy for the rest of the century.
• Fascinating Fact: A well-maintained vintage Tonka Truck can be worth hundreds of dollars to collectors

1959: Barbie Doll – Remembered by DeeDee Burnette, Customer Service Rep and Diana Rodriguez, Install Coordinator

• Origin: Ruth Handler of Mattel designed Barbie to inspire girls with a doll that represented adulthood and career aspirations. Barbie was inspired by a German doll called “Bild Lilli.”
• Cultural Moment: Barbie launched in 1959 with her signature blonde ponytail and a striped swimsuit, capturing the imagination of millions.
• Fascinating Fact: Barbie has held over 200 careers and continues to evolve with themes of empowerment and diversity.

1964: G.I. Joe – Remembered by Tom Geromanos, Plumbing Manager; Guy Gillespie, AC Tech; and Clayton Kendall, AC Tech

• Origin: Hasbro debuted the first-ever action figure, marketing it as a toy for boys who might not play with "dolls."
• Cultural Moment: The smaller, more affordable figures of the 1980s cemented G.I. Joe's role in action-packed adventures.
• Fascinating Fact: Inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2004, G.I. Joe remains a symbol of bravery and imagination. To this date, G.I. Joe has sold more than 200 MILLION action figures and more than 100 MILLION toy vehicles. Hasbro has made more than 1.2 BILLION in retail sales from this manly action figure.

Other action figures followed G.I. Joe and became favorites of our team. Billy Gouty remembers his 6 Million Dollar man action figure based on the television series featuring an astronaut (played by Lee Majors) and “rebuilt” with the help of technology. Marc Rivera, installer, remembers playing with multiple kinds of action figures.

1964: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots – Remembered by Donald Drapeau, AC Tech

• Origin: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, created by Marvin Glass and Associates and released by Marx Toy Company in 1964, brought the thrill of the boxing ring to living rooms across America. Featuring two robots, "Red Rocker" and "Blue Bomber," players controlled the robots' punching motions, aiming to pop their opponent's head up to claim victory.
• Cultural Moment: This mechanical boxing game quickly became a household favorite and symbolized fun competition in an era before digital gaming. Over the decades, it has remained a nostalgic icon and has been referenced in popular media, including The Simpsons, South Park, and the movie Real Steel (2011), which reimagined the concept with futuristic robot boxing matches.
• Fascinating Fact: The game's enduring popularity has inspired numerous imitators and adaptations, solidifying its role as a pioneer in mechanical and action-oriented toys. A live-action movie starring Vin Diesel is currently in development, proving the timeless appeal of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots as both a game and a cultural phenomenon.

1978: Cabbage Patch Kids - Remembered by DeeDee and Diana

• Origin: Xavier Roberts created these unique, soft-sculptured dolls, initially calling them “Little People” before licensing them to Coleco in 1982 where they were rebranded as “Cabbage Patch Kids.”
• Cultural Moment: A full-blown craze erupted in the 1980s, leading to shopping frenzies during the holiday season. For three years in a row in the 1980s, the dolls set every toy industry sales record.
• Fascinating Fact: Each Cabbage Patch Kid comes with its own birth certificate of full names and birthdate, making them feel like adoptable children. To this date, Cabbage Patch Kids are one of the longest-running doll franchises in the United States.

1979: Strawberry Shortcake Dolls - Remembered by DeeDee and Diana

• Origin: Strawberry Shortcake began as a greeting card character designed by Muriel Fahrion for American Greetings in 1977. By 1979, Kenner Products turned the character into a doll featuring her iconic red yarn curls, strawberry-themed bonnet, and sweet strawberry scent.
• Cultural Moment: The Strawberry Shortcake dolls were an instant hit in the 1980s, tapping into the era's nostalgia for handmade crafts and wholesome characters. Accompanied by TV specials like The World of Strawberry Shortcake and a variety of playsets, the dolls expanded into a franchise that captivated children worldwide. By 1983, they accounted for $500 MILLION in sales. They were priced affordably, between $7 to $15, making them accessible and appealing for many families. Their scented feature was a standout marketing innovation, which distinguished them from other toys at the time.
• Fascinating Fact: The first two years of Strawberry Shortcake dolls saw over 25 million units sold. Each doll had a unique fruity scent that corresponded to its character, such as lemon for Lemon Meringue and blueberry for Blueberry Muffin. This sensory feature made the dolls stand out in the toy market and remains a nostalgic hallmark.

Gaming stations were the favorite of many:

1994: Sony PlayStation – Remembered by Justin Ingold, Installer; Michael Constable, AC Tech; Jake Johnson, Installer; and Jonathan Rivera, AC Tech

• Origin: Sony launched its first gaming console, introducing 3D graphics and redefining home entertainment.
• Cultural Moment: Titles like Final Fantasy VII and Gran Turismo helped establish PlayStation as a leader in gaming.
• Fascinating Fact: The PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling console of all time, with over 155 million units sold.

1996: Nintendo 64 – Remembered by Donald Drapeau, AC Tech; Justin Ingold, Installer; and Brad Caliguioni, Installer

• Origin: The Nintendo 64 (N64) was released in Japan and North America in 1996 and in Europe in 1997. Named for its 64-bit processor, it was Nintendo’s first console to embrace 3D graphics, signaling a major technological leap. Games like Super Mario 64 showcased its capabilities, redefining what gamers expected from console experiences.
• Cultural Moment:The N64 became a staple of late-90s gaming culture, cherished for its multiplayer titles like Mario Kart 64 and GoldenEye 007. These games made split-screen couch gaming a defining experience of the era. The system also introduced the analog joystick on its controller, which became standard for future consoles.
• Fascinating Fact: Despite competing with Sony's PlayStation and Sega's Saturn, the N64 remains one of Nintendo's most iconic systems, selling over 32 MILLION units worldwide. Its 1998 title, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, is still widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever made

Guitars (Modern Popularity in the 20th Century)- Remembered by Jake Gouty, Project Manager and Tom Geromanos, Plumbing Manager

• Origin: While guitars date back to ancient times, their modern popularity exploded with the introduction of electric models like the Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul in the mid-20th century.
• Cultural Moment: Rock-and-roll icons like Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton elevated the guitar to legendary status. Approximately 2.7 million guitars are sold annually in the United States. This figure includes around 1.6 million acoustic guitars and 1.1 million electric guitars each year.
• Fascinating Fact: The Stratocaster, first released in 1954, is still one of the most iconic and best-selling guitars of all time. The market has seen growth in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic fueling interest in hobbies like playing music. Let me know if you'd like further details!

Other Memorable Toys

Several of our guys mentioned receiving footballs, toy guns, remote-controlled cars, I-pods, and fishing poles. John Narzarchyk remembered getting Math books and a Simon Says game!

ServiceOne Works Hard and Plays Hard, too!

The team at ServiceOne works really hard, but as kids, we learned the enjoyment of playing hard too!

Whether you’re giving toys to your kids or grandkids – or whether you’ll be gifted with some fun toys yourself, ServiceOne wants you to enjoy the toys. Make some memories this holiday season!