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Against the backdrop of major events in American history like the Civil War, the Great Depression and World War II, “The Toys that Built America” shares a story that brings nostalgic toys to the forefront as driving forces behind untold cultural and economic shifts. The four-part docuseries explores visionaries such as the Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley and Ruth Handler who transformed a small toy company into the billion-dollar empire known as Mattel®. It reveals little-known details behind groundbreaking innovations like the Frisbee®, and accidental discoveries like how the Slinky® was created. Additionally, the docuseries unveils competitive rivalries between iconic brands that changed the fabric of our nation forever. Blending dramatic reenactments and archival footage with interviews from experts, biographers, and others, each episode brings to life the surprising tales of the men and women who created some of America’s most beloved and enduring toys including Silly Putty®, Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox Cars®, and other famous classics.
Original Release
11/28/2021 on HIST
US Release
11/28/2021
Links
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Ian Karr | Narrator / Self - Narrator (voice) |
Jordan Hembrough | Self - Host / Self / Self - Toy and Pop Culture Expert |
Adam Richman | Self - Author-TV Host / Self / Self - Author & TV Host / Self - Author and TV Host |
Jackie Breyer | Self / Self - Editorial Director, Toy Insider |
Carly A. Kocurek | Self / Self - Professor and Author, 'Coin-Operated Americans' |
Austin Rogers | Self / Self - Author and trivia expert |
Don Wildman | Self - Podcast Host: American History Hit / Self / Self - PodcastHost: American History Hit |
David Wexler | Self |
Simon Harrison | Jack Ryan |
Dan Tetsell | Elliot Handler |
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# | Title | Air Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Transforming Toy Invasion | Sunday, 15 October 2023 |
2 | Mind Game Masters | Sunday, 22 October 2023 |
3 | Video Game Visionaries | Sunday, 29 October 2023 |
4 | Game Night Legends | Sunday, 05 November 2023 |
5 | Mighty Mutant Mayhem | Sunday, 12 November 2023 |
6 | Old Games, New Twists | Sunday, 26 November 2023 |
7 | Happy Accidents | Sunday, 03 December 2023 |
8 | Santa Claus | Sunday, 10 December 2023 |
9 | Hottest Wheels | Sunday, 10 December 2023 |
10 | 90's Fad Toys | Sunday, 10 December 2023 |
11 | The Prank Toy Race | Sunday, 17 December 2023 |
12 | Most Valuable Toys | Sunday, 17 December 2023 |
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Directors
Nick White, Richard Lopez, Drew Painter, Stuart Jones, Brad Grimm, Elle Schneider
Writers
Brian Burstein, Ryan Wesley Gilreath, Harry Courniotes, Joel P. Schneider, Robert Phillips, Tommy Cody, Jason Cavanagh, Tien Brunelle
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Ian Karr | Narrator / Self - Narrator (voice) |
Jordan Hembrough | Self - Host / Self / Self - Toy and Pop Culture Expert |
Adam Richman | Self - Author-TV Host / Self / Self - Author & TV Host / Self - Author and TV Host |
Jackie Breyer | Self / Self - Editorial Director, Toy Insider |
Carly A. Kocurek | Self / Self - Professor and Author, 'Coin-Operated Americans' |
Austin Rogers | Self / Self - Author and trivia expert |
Don Wildman | Self - Podcast Host: American History Hit / Self / Self - PodcastHost: American History Hit |
David Wexler | Self |
Simon Harrison | Jack Ryan |
Dan Tetsell | Elliot Handler |
Greg Canestrari | Howard Lincoln |
Daniel Pickett | Self - Toy Expert |
Richard Tree | Swanky Guest / family friend |
Van Lathan Jr. | Self - TV and Podcast Host / Self |
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela | Self - Associate Professor of History: The New School / Self - Professor of history / Self - Professor of History, The New School / Self |
Ashley Esqueda | Self - Author and Pop Culture Expert / Self |
Steve Covino | Self |
Jules Knight | Tom Kalinske |
Philip Rosch | Anthony Pratt |
Tom Nunez | Olaf Olafsson |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Jim Pasquarella | Executive Producer |
Brian Burstein | Executive Producer |
Harry Courniotes | Executive Producer |
Shari Ortner Middleman | Executive Producer |
Tommy Cody | Executive Producer |
Andy Seestedt | Executive Producer |
Mary Donahue | Executive Producer |
Matt Pearl | Executive Producer |
Guy Streit | Producer |
Joel P. Schneider | Producer |
Mary Catherine Brouder | Producer |
Kristina Cergol | Producer |
Erin Walsh | Producer |
Ivan Martinovic | Producer |
Matthew Lavine | Producer |
Ben Hughes | Producer |
Richard Sterling | Producer |
Thaddeus Bouska | Producer |
Steve Murphy | Producer |
Sarah Katz | Producer |
Tee-a Hof | Producer |
Rachael Scott | Producer |
Justin Murphy | Producer |
Daniel Leeds | Producer |
Lincoln Farr | Producer |
Jenny Miller | Producer |
Robert Phillips | Producer |
Steven Pipps | Producer |
Jack Cole | Producer |
Andy Gradwell | Producer |
Mike Schultz | Producer |
Rebecca Sue Haber | Producer |
David Schaye | Producer |
Divya Chungi | Producer |
Sarah Dalsimer | Producer |
Jason Cavanagh | Producer |