The National Toy Hall of Fame has a new class.
Matchbox cars, Magic: The Gathering, and the coloring book have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The honorees were chosen from a field of a dozen nominees, including Care Bears, the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Jenga, Masters of the Universe, My Little Pony, the Nerf blaster, the game of Risk, the smartphone, and the top.
The 2019 inductees were revealed this morning at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
“Matchbox Cars revolutionized the toy car industry after their introduction, and the name ‘Matchbox’ has become synonymous with miniature cars. It’s only fitting that they join the Toy Hall of Fame to sit in the winner’s circle alongside Hot Wheels, the other titan of the field,” says Chief Curator Christopher Bensch.
“Magic: The Gathering changed the landscape of collectible card gaming with its introduction more than 25 years ago, and it’s become a part of pop culture — leading to book series, electronic games, and even a series on Netflix. The fact that it continues to maintain popularity is a testament to its revolutionary gameplay and constant evolution, making it engaging for beginners and experts alike,” says Curator Shannon Symonds.
“People have expressed their creativity by adding color to shapes and images for much more than 100 years, and coloring books have provided educational and calming benefits to children and adults for more than a century,” says Curator Nic Ricketts.
Photos courtesy of The Strong, Rochester, NY