Today, action figures come in every shape and size, modeled after everything from animals to mythical creatures to historical figures and everything in between. Action figures were born in the mid-1960s when the 12-inch GI Joe from Hasbro came on the scene. Hasbro cleverly recognized that boys would reject dolls even if those as tough as Joe so they birthed the action figure to make the toy boy friendly.
Characters in comic books spurred on the next set of action figures in the 1970s. Comic books were not a new fad. Comics gained popularity just before the 1970s and characters like Spiderman and The Fantastic Four were heroes that made perfect action figures.
Wildly popular Star Wars action figures were next in the mid-1970's. Because of the oil supply crisis, these and other action figures made during the time, were made much smaller than the original action figures standing at only three and three quarters inches. That didn't stop them from becoming an immediate craze.
In the 1980's, television shows popularized a new set of characters which were followed by their own action figures, and the popularity of the action figures in general grew. In 1984, the pattern of action figures modeled after characters shifted when transforming action figures were brought to the US. These transforming figures, or Transformers, were then made into a television series rather than the other way around.
In the 1990s, action figure purchasing was at its height. The industry was supported by heroes in just about every form of media: television, movies, and comic books. The industry was also being shaped by a rise in collecting. Early action figures had been created solely for play. But by the 1990s, children that had played with action figures as children were grown ups and took a renewed interest in figurines. Instead of the market being restricted to children's play things, action figures were also collectible items for adults.
Star Wars significantly boosted the action figure market once again when the final Star Wars movie was introduced. People of all ages bought action figures of the famous characters.
In the late 90's, the internet made the search for and sale of action figures much wider reaching. Collectors could search for action figures all over the world rather than just in their immediate area from local stores. After the 1990's, the traditional action figure market declined. The number of manufacturers decreased and small stores that used to carry favorite action figures were being overtaken by bigger stores.
Even so, a new wave of action figure characters entered the scene in the 2000s. A new set of heroes was being introduced and you could buy action figures of movie stars, animals, fairies, mythical creatures, sports heroes, politicians and countless other real world personalities.
Characters in comic books spurred on the next set of action figures in the 1970s. Comic books were not a new fad. Comics gained popularity just before the 1970s and characters like Spiderman and The Fantastic Four were heroes that made perfect action figures.
Wildly popular Star Wars action figures were next in the mid-1970's. Because of the oil supply crisis, these and other action figures made during the time, were made much smaller than the original action figures standing at only three and three quarters inches. That didn't stop them from becoming an immediate craze.
In the 1980's, television shows popularized a new set of characters which were followed by their own action figures, and the popularity of the action figures in general grew. In 1984, the pattern of action figures modeled after characters shifted when transforming action figures were brought to the US. These transforming figures, or Transformers, were then made into a television series rather than the other way around.
In the 1990s, action figure purchasing was at its height. The industry was supported by heroes in just about every form of media: television, movies, and comic books. The industry was also being shaped by a rise in collecting. Early action figures had been created solely for play. But by the 1990s, children that had played with action figures as children were grown ups and took a renewed interest in figurines. Instead of the market being restricted to children's play things, action figures were also collectible items for adults.
Star Wars significantly boosted the action figure market once again when the final Star Wars movie was introduced. People of all ages bought action figures of the famous characters.
In the late 90's, the internet made the search for and sale of action figures much wider reaching. Collectors could search for action figures all over the world rather than just in their immediate area from local stores. After the 1990's, the traditional action figure market declined. The number of manufacturers decreased and small stores that used to carry favorite action figures were being overtaken by bigger stores.
Even so, a new wave of action figure characters entered the scene in the 2000s. A new set of heroes was being introduced and you could buy action figures of movie stars, animals, fairies, mythical creatures, sports heroes, politicians and countless other real world personalities.
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