Figure 1.-- Here we see an American boy photographed with toys. We assume they were the studio props (especially the trike) and not his own toys. It does show, however, the types of toys popular in the 1890s. We see books, buggle, gun, trike, and top (out of the picture to the left). Notice the metal wheels and pedals. The boy was was Frank E. Deeds. He was 4 years, 4 months old. The cabinet card portrait was taken in February 1895. Put your cursor on the image for a closeup of the books and trike. The photographer ws C.L. Sweet in Springfield, Missouri.

Toys to an extent are affected by the chronology. Of course boys are boys and their interests are only partly affected by the passage of time. Thus items like balls, blocks, marbles, tops, vehicles, and many other items are going to interest boys regardless of the passage of time. And any thing loud like drums and buggles are also popular. In fact, some of the items have been found in the remains of ancient civilizations, millenia ago. The chroinolgy, however, is a factor. Here two primary factors are involved--societal change and technology. First, societal changes affect both boys' interests as well as parental values. When I was a kid in the 1940s-50s, ever boy had toy guns. Today many parents (especially mothers) refuse to buy toy guns for their children. In most cases, however, boys still want toy guns. The other major chronological factor is technology. Boys are not only intregued by technology, but technology creates all kinds of new toys. There have been enormous advances in techjnology during the 20th century. Man first flew (1903) and within only a few decades had reached the moon (1968). This accomplishment required ebormous technolohical advances which were reflected in children's toys, By the end of the century, the computers that made mnuch of this possible had begun to further revolutionize children's toys. Here there is a major difference between boys and girls. Many girls do not share the fascination with technology that boys have.

The 19th Century

Toys to an extent are affected by the chronology. Of course boys are boys and their interests are only partly affected by the passage of time. Most of our 19th century images are studio portraits. This means that they toys displayed are usually studio props. Thus items like balls, blocks, marbles, tops, vehicles, and many other items are going to interest boys regardless of the passage of time. And any thing loud like drums and buggles are also popular. One of the nost popular toys was hoops which boys could roll. And they were easy to get as they were used t mnufcture barrels. In fact, some of the items have been found in the remains of ancient civilizations, millenia ago. We note all kinds of wonderful cast iron toys in the 19th century, mostly the late-19th century. Books were enjoyed by both boys and girls. We note the appearance of books employing colored lithographs by the end of the decade. Another popular item were pull toys, often done as animals. Younger children enjoyed hobby horses throughout the century. Of course girls enjoyed dolls and baby carriages.

The 20th Century

We have a much more detailed record of toys in the 20th centyry. Not only do we have more written material and advertiements, but we gave countless photographic images and we have them for the entire century. Amd with the invention of the snapshpt thanks to the Kodak Brownie (1900) we have photograps not just of studio props, but of children with their toys everywhere they went. As in the 19th century, the decade by decade chronology was a factor. Here two primary factors are involved--societal change and technology. First, societal changes affect both boys' interests as well as parental values. When I was a kid in the 1940s-50s, ever boy had toy guns. Today many parents (especially mothers) refuse to buy toy guns for their children. In most cases, however, boys still want toy guns. The other major chronological factor is technology. Boys are not only intregued by technology, but technology creates all kinds of new toys. There have been enormous advances in techjnology during the 20th century. Man first flew (1903) and within only a few decades had reached the moon (1968). This accomplishment required ebormous technolohical advances which were reflected in children's toys, By the end of the century, the computers that made mnuch of this possible had begun to further revolutionize children's toys. Here there is a major difference between boys and girls. Many girls do not share the fascination with technology that boys have. With the advent of smapo shots were see in the 20th century the toys actually owned and played with and not just studio props.

The 21st Century

A major change in toys began in the late-20th century, but accelerated in the early 21st century--electronic toys and more and more computer gaming. This was especially true for the boys, but girls were not unaffected. This has significantly affected play activies. Much more of the active outdoors play ha shifted from unstrucyured play to sports. And much more of it is cloely surpervided by adults than was the case in the 19th abd 20th century ant least until the end of the century.

Created: 9:40 PM 1/11/2010
Last updated: 11:21 PM 7/2/2019