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Little People

Okay who doesn't remember playing with the Little People toy sets? You can spark a serious conversation full of laughs and "Oh, yeah, yeah, me too.", when you mention any one of the number of play sets and buildings.

Who had the school bus, the farm, how about the A-frame? The guy with the red hat and freckles, yep remember him? How about the black eared dog? The warm and fuzzy childhood memories abound when you bring up these very cool, little, wooden (at the time) dudes.

Fisher-Price is still located in East Aurora, N.Y., and is one of the leading brands when it comes to preschool toys around the world. The Company has a 77-year legacy of high quality toys that enhance early childhood development. In 1950, two of Herm Fisher's key toy designers created the "Looky Fire Truck"; it had three round-headed, firemen permanently attached to it. A Toy Wagon was introduced in 1951, complete with two bobbing horses and an attached little driver whose head bobbed up and down, and side to side.

Throughout the decade, Fisher-Price introduced a stagecoach, racing rowboat and sports cars, all of which incorporated the little wooden figures that provided action when the toy was pushed or pulled along. These are the guys that would later evolve into the world famous Fisher-Price® Little People® toys. But the figures remained built into the toys and not detachable, until…

1959 when the very first little Safety School Bus drove onto the scene. The little wooden peeps got their independence. Kids delighted at watching the little, wood, peg guys in the bus bump up and down, and the driver, who never left the bus, turn his head back and forth while driving around. The driving part was and still is kid powered, no need for batteries or remotes. This was the start one of the longest running and one of the most beloved iconic toy brands to hit the shelves.

They are known today as the Little People. Since then, more than one and a half billion Little People figures have delighted millions of children worldwide. The lil' guys have evolved from wooden figures into poseable figures that can sit, stand and even hold things in their hands.

March 21st, 2009, the brands official birthday, starts a yearlong celebration of the Little People. There will be live appearances, Little People Live on Stage shows and of course new toys. In celebration of the Little People 50th birthday, Fisher-Price is set to introduce special limited edition commemorative 50th birthday Little People play sets. The Little People have stood the test of time. It seems clear that they will continue to inspire creative, imaginative play for generations to come.

About the Author: Mary Rose is a Mommy, a writer and an early childhood educator who believes in learning through play and the value of good toys.

also see in Toy Reviews -> Barbie Celebrates Her 50th Birthday