The Toys That Built America

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.