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- Toy, Lucky Sprite, 1984-1986 - In the 1980s, toy companies began producing commercial television programs to market dolls and other toys to children. Hallmark sponsored the Rainbow Brite series which debuted in 1984. The company sold a colorful range of program-based plush toys, such as this green furry Sprite named Lucky. Sprites mine color crystals and help Rainbow Brite return color to her world.
- 1984-1986
- Collections - Artifact
Toy, Lucky Sprite, 1984-1986
In the 1980s, toy companies began producing commercial television programs to market dolls and other toys to children. Hallmark sponsored the Rainbow Brite series which debuted in 1984. The company sold a colorful range of program-based plush toys, such as this green furry Sprite named Lucky. Sprites mine color crystals and help Rainbow Brite return color to her world.
- "Bert" Hand Puppet, circa 1995 -
- circa 1995
- Collections - Artifact
"Bert" Hand Puppet, circa 1995
- Toy, Smurfette, 1981-1983 - Pierre Culliford, a Belgian artist who drew under the name Peyo, introduced the Smurfs to the world in 1958. These little blue creatures were an instant hit with Belgian children. Over twenty years later American children became enamored with the Smurfs when Hanna Barbera created an animated cartoon series. In the early 1980s many Smurf-related toys found their way into American homes.
- 1981-1983
- Collections - Artifact
Toy, Smurfette, 1981-1983
Pierre Culliford, a Belgian artist who drew under the name Peyo, introduced the Smurfs to the world in 1958. These little blue creatures were an instant hit with Belgian children. Over twenty years later American children became enamored with the Smurfs when Hanna Barbera created an animated cartoon series. In the early 1980s many Smurf-related toys found their way into American homes.
- "Hairy" Spider Hand Puppet, circa 1980 -
- circa 1980
- Collections - Artifact
"Hairy" Spider Hand Puppet, circa 1980
- Slotted Turner, 2001 - Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.
- 2001
- Collections - Artifact
Slotted Turner, 2001
Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.
- Mattel "Football" Pocket Electronic Game Packaging, 1978 - <body><i>Football</i>, produced by Mattel in 1977, was one of the first handheld video games. It was a simulation of American football with red LED lights representing player positions. To play <i>Football</i>, gamers used arrows to direct their light across the football field screen, evade opponents, and score field goals and touchdowns. </body>
- 1978
- Collections - Artifact
Mattel "Football" Pocket Electronic Game Packaging, 1978
Football, produced by Mattel in 1977, was one of the first handheld video games. It was a simulation of American football with red LED lights representing player positions. To play Football, gamers used arrows to direct their light across the football field screen, evade opponents, and score field goals and touchdowns. - Nike "Air Jordan" Basketball Shoes, 1985 - In his first season with the Chicago Bulls (1984-1985), basketball phenomenon Michael Jordan wore black and red Nike shoes. Almost immediately, the company launched commercial "Air Jordans" and an aggressive advertising campaign. The popularity of Air Jordans was unprecedented -- first-year sales totaled 130 million dollars! This pair was purchased as a Christmas present for a young Iowan boy in 1985.
- 1985
- Collections - Artifact
Nike "Air Jordan" Basketball Shoes, 1985
In his first season with the Chicago Bulls (1984-1985), basketball phenomenon Michael Jordan wore black and red Nike shoes. Almost immediately, the company launched commercial "Air Jordans" and an aggressive advertising campaign. The popularity of Air Jordans was unprecedented -- first-year sales totaled 130 million dollars! This pair was purchased as a Christmas present for a young Iowan boy in 1985.
- Ruby Star Society Face Mask Fabric Panel, 2020 -
- 2020
- Collections - Artifact
Ruby Star Society Face Mask Fabric Panel, 2020
- GE Portable Cassette Tape Player, Model 3-5090A, circa 1970 - The cassette format was introduced by Philips in 1965, initially marketed for business dictation. Despite offering lower recording quality than open reel tapes, the cassette's portability was attractive. They quickly became popular as a music recording and playback medium. Improvements in noise reduction, tape quality, and the convenience of portable players soon allowed the cassette to surpass vinyl record sales.
- circa 1970
- Collections - Artifact
GE Portable Cassette Tape Player, Model 3-5090A, circa 1970
The cassette format was introduced by Philips in 1965, initially marketed for business dictation. Despite offering lower recording quality than open reel tapes, the cassette's portability was attractive. They quickly became popular as a music recording and playback medium. Improvements in noise reduction, tape quality, and the convenience of portable players soon allowed the cassette to surpass vinyl record sales.
- Hallmark "Holiday Wildlife Series: Purple Finch" Christmas Ornament, 1988 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- 1988
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Holiday Wildlife Series: Purple Finch" Christmas Ornament, 1988
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.