The 80's
1980
It came in just before Christmas but was an immediate sensation
- it also wins Toy of the Year - Rubik's Cube. Toy of the
Decade: Action Man. Major UK toy manufacturers face threats
of closure, but Bluebird Toys is born.
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1981
Rubik's Cube continues to dominate - wins second Toy of
the Year award. Lego launch Lego railway system and open
their new UK headquarters.
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1982
Star Wars carries off Toy of the Year award and top sales.
The video games market spreads to toy shops, but some retailers
warn it won't be a big money spinner. New toys: My Pretty
Pony - It will return scaled down and re-named by Hasbro
as My Little Pony the following year.
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1983
Star Wars wins again...My Little Pony - despite some doubts
- it will become one of the most successful girl's toys
ever...Lego launch Duplo, Mattel launch Masters of the Universe,
but IBA has the TV series suspended for too close links
to the advertising. Little Tikes make their first appearance
at the Toy Fair. Robo Machines launched.
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1984
Masters of the Universe pushes Star Wars aside to win Toy
of the Year...My Little Pony voted Best Girls Toy and Trivial
Pursuit Game of the Year. New launches: Care Bears and just
weeks before Christmas, some Cabbage Patch Dolls arrive
in UK. Hornby surprises with Flower Fairies dolls, Lego
Technic goes on sale...Boy George and Michael Jackson dolls.
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1985
Transformers are Toy of the Year - with Optimus Prime the
main attraction. Trivial Pursuit wins Game of the Year.
The first Regional Toy Shop of the Year awards. Pound Puppies
from Hornby sell well.
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1986
Transformers again Toy of the Year...shortages of Optimus
Prime...Waddington's new game is Blockbusters and is Game
of the Year. Boots announce they are to start Children's
World chain. Hasbro purchase Action Man from Palitoy and
Sindy from Pedigree. Hamleys is bought by Harris Queensway.
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1987
Sylvanian Families from Tomy begins its long reign of popularity
and wins Toy of the Year. Nintendo gets off to a false start
and has to wait until 1989 to relaunch. Rubik's Magic tries
to follow the Cube's success...Hasbro revamp Sindy...Woolworth's
pens first Kidstore. Kenner Parker merges with Tonka and
Peter Pan is bought by Bluebird. The BTHA unveils their
proposed Lion Mark.
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1988
Toy of the Year: Sylvanian Families. Pictionary is Game
of the Year. Successful new range: Ghostbusters.
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1989
Sylvanian Families scores a hat-trick as Toy of the Year.
Barbie is 30 years old. Batmania hits Britain. Nintendo
is relaunched. Major new initiative to encourage highest
safety standards - the Lion Mark is finally launched. The
industry prepares to launch the CE mark - the harmonisation
of European toy safety standards from January 1st 1990.
The NATR changes its name to BATR to reflect changes in
Europe and to take a leading role in the European toy scene.
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