COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3942

Dolls and Stuffed Toys

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

26companies1893–1993founding years26still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedMargarete Steiff GmbHFoundedMargarete Steiff GmbH
1893
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedHasbro, Inc.FoundedTyco Toys, Inc.FoundedTyco Toys, Inc.
1926
FoundedPlayskool, Inc.
1928
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedTonka Corporation
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedRuss Berrie and Company, Inc.FoundedRuss Berrie and Company, Inc.
1963
FoundedApplause Inc.
1966
FoundedLewis Galoob Toys Inc.FoundedLewis Galoob Toys Inc.
1968
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedEquity Marketing, Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedPlay by Play Toys & Novelties, Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedToy Biz, Inc.FoundedToy Biz, Inc.
1988
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedYES! Entertainment Corporation
1992
FoundedThe L.L. Knickerbocker Co., Inc.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Margarete Steiff GmbH →
Active · founded 1893 · Germany
Margarete Steiff GmbH is the largest manufacturer of stuffed toys in Germany and one of the most recognized brands of…
Margarete Steiff GmbH →
Active · founded 1893 · Germany
Margarete Steiff GmbH is the largest manufacturer of stuffed toys in Germany and one of the most recognized brands of…
Hasbro, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Truly successful toy companies do not just make toys; they manufacture popular culture.
Hasbro, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Truly successful toy companies do not just make toys; they manufacture popular culture.
Tyco Toys, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Tyco Toys, Inc.
Tyco Toys, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Tyco Toys, Inc.
Playskool, Inc. →
Active · founded 1928
Playskool, Inc.
Playskool, Inc. →
Active · founded 1928
Playskool, Inc.
Tonka Corporation →
Active · founded 1946
Tonka Corporation has a long history as America's premier manufacturer of toy trucks.
Tonka Corporation →
Active · founded 1946
Tonka Corporation has a long history as America's premier manufacturer of toy trucks.
Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
Russ Berrie & Company, Inc.
Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
Russ Berrie & Company, Inc.
Applause Inc. →
Active · founded 1966
Applause Inc.
Applause Inc. →
Active · founded 1966
Applause Inc.
Lewis Galoob Toys Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Lewis Galoob Toys Inc.
Lewis Galoob Toys Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Lewis Galoob Toys Inc.
Equity Marketing, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Equity Marketing, Inc.
Equity Marketing, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Equity Marketing, Inc.
Play by Play Toys & Novelties, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
A noted toy manufacturer, Play by Play Toys & Novelties, Inc.
Play by Play Toys & Novelties, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
A noted toy manufacturer, Play by Play Toys & Novelties, Inc.
Toy Biz, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Toy Biz, Inc.
Toy Biz, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Toy Biz, Inc.
YES! Entertainment Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
YES!
YES! Entertainment Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
YES!
The L.L. Knickerbocker Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1993 · www.knickerbocker.com
L.L.
The L.L. Knickerbocker Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1993 · www.knickerbocker.com
L.L.
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