Ruth Handler (Miranda Hennessey) and husband Elliot Handler (Dan Tetsell) of Mattel look at a sketch for their new Hot Wheels toy car in The Toys That Built America. | Source: A+E Networks/HISTORY

The toy takeover continues on The History Channel this Sunday with new episodes of The Toys That Built America and Modern Marvels.

The second chapter of the four-part docuseries The Toys That Built America premieres Sunday, Dec. 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. “Clash of the Toy Titans” explores the long-running, East Coast/West Coast rivalry between Hasbro and Mattel, featuring the development of classic toys and brands, including Barbie, G.I Joe, Hot Wheels, and more.

The series blends dramatic reenactments with archival footage and interviews with experts, including our own Laurie Schacht, President and Chief Toy Officer at Adventure Media and Events, publisher of the Toy Bookthe Toy Insider, and the Pop Insider.

Modern Marvels: Top Toys & Games | Source: History Channel/A+E Networks

Then, Modern Marvels: Toys & Games is back with “Top Toys & Games” at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In this episode, host Adam Richman visits the Cartamundi factory to see how Hasbro games like Monopoly and Sorry are made in America. Then, the action heads to the West Coast for an inside look at how Mattel’s Hot Wheels vehicles are designed and how Masters of the Universe action figures move from concept to production. Along the way, Modern Marvels explores other top toys, including Rubik’s Cube, Etch-a-Sketch, Lite-Brite, and more.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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