NATIONAL NEWS
January 25, 2002
Picking the Top Toys
Voting has begun to see which toys will enter the 2002 Toy Hall of Fame
 New and old Raggedy Anns |
Mr. Potato Head went in head first. The jump rope skipped in, too. Last year, Tonka Truck rolled over its competition. What did all these toys win? Lifetime membership into the Toy Hall of Fame, where great toys finally get the recognition they deserve. Special judges are currently deciding and debating which toys will make the cut this year, and will announce their decision on March 27th at the A.C Gilbert's Discover Village museum in Oregon.
 |  The famous Mr. Potato Head |
What Makes a Top Toy?
The general public nominated more than ninety toys over the course of 2001 to make the Hall of Fame in 2002. The expert panel making this final decision is made up of toy experts and educators. So what are the criteria that make a winning toy? "Of course toys are fun, but having an educational spin is important," said Kim Baldwin, a spokeswoman for the National Toy Hall of Fame. Only toys with a safe track record and wide appeal are considered. Monopoly wiped out its competition in 1998. So did Barbie. And after decades of getting stuck, Silly Putty finally made the grade in 2001.
|  The classic Tonka Truck |
An Inspirational Inventor
The museum which houses the Hall of Fame was named after A.C. Gilbert, who lived close by. After graduating from Yale with a degree in medicine and earning an Olympic gold medal in the pole vault, A.C. Gilbert created the Erector Set, a very popular engineering toy, in 1913. With his toys, Gilbert hoped to combine fun with an understanding and appreciation of science.
Raggedy Who?
This year, children and adults who love Raggedy Ann spoke up on her behalf. She’s been nominated for the past four years, and has yet to get into the Toy Hall of Fame. Over the past several months, fans created a petition with more than 3,000 signatures asking for her to be included. Making kids smile for more than 80 years, Raggedy Ann began as a simple story about a rag doll. When she was designed into an actual doll, she became a loyal companion to kids worldwide.
