MATTEL TOYS 1960 - 1969

1960 Mattel Becomes a publicly owned company. Barbie #4 with Ponytail and Swimsuit is offered. Game Lie Detector is also offered.

1961 Ken Doll is introduced as Barbie's one and only boyfriend. Ken and Barbie are joined by friend Midge in 1963 and sister Skipper in 1965. Game Sonar Sub Hunt is also offered.

1962 Vac-U-Form is created. Vac-U-Form melted a sheet of styrene plastic and quickly make a mold of any item. This toy is not only desired by collectors, but by model makers to make molds of small parts. The original styrene sheets, called "Material Paks" are difficult to find. Game High Gear is also offered. High Gear Game is a "mechanical" maneuver game, 10 meshed gears, 35,568 different gear combinations.

1963 The V-RROOM! Hot Rodder Engine is offered. It attaches to a bicycle or tricycle to create the sound of a "real motor roar".

1964 The Sonic Blaster is offered and quickly pulled from the shelves when it was found that the average kid could not fire it without blowing out an eardrum. Pump the handle once or twice, lock down the firing lever, and shoot a powerful, LOUD, compressed ball of air dozens of feet. The Linoprinter by Mattel allowed you to publish your own newspaper. It came with various printing plates that went at the top of the page and you created your own type using "Dymo-type" label maker tape. The Agent Zero M Radio Rifle was offered which turns from a simple transistor radio into a cap rifle. The Herman Munster talking doll was also offered. A Herman Munster doll can bring over $1000 depending upon condition.

1965 Mattel enters the eductional preschool market with the See N Say talking toy. The Flea Circus Board game with magnetic fleas is a great hit. The Mattel Power shop sold as 4 tools in one is a hit with the Drill Press, Jigsaw, Disc Sander and Lathe all in one.

1966 Incredible Edibles become available. Complete with the Sooper-Gooper oven, the cooling tray and handle, all eight molds, all six original foil packets of Gobble-Degoop (Cherry, Mint, Cinnamon, Root Beer, Licorice, and Butterscotch), candy sprinkles, toothpicks, knife, fork, the baking cups, and the instructions.

1967 Mattel begins the design of Hot Wheels. A Strange Change Toy comes to the stores. Polymer based capsules are placed into the chamber for a magic growth into a variety of shapes.

1968 Hot Wheels become available with 16 vehicles and are a huge success. The Matt Mason Space Station and the Christie, and African-American doll is introduced.

1969 Upsy Downsys are created. The Kozmic Kiddles of the 1966 Little Kiddles. Wizzzer Tops hit the shelves and fly off as soon as they come to the store.