The History of Toys

Toys CoverIn The History of Toys, published in 2006, she traces the long history of toys and reflects changing attitudes to childhood as well as the influences of technology and the invention of new materials on the manufacture of toys.

It explores the various influences on toys from politics and marketing to religion and education and combines Deborah’s long-term interest in the history of childhood and play with her knowledge of technology and manufacturing.

Patent diagram showing the complexity of the mechanical movements inside Louis Schmetzer's 1871 Creeping Baby Doll. A rod could be added to the axle and another doll attached to make creeping twins. Patent GB 2942/1871
Patent diagram showing the complexity of the mechanical movements inside Louis Schmetzer’s 1871 Creeping Baby Doll. A rod could be added to the axle and another doll attached to make creeping twins. Patent GB 2942/1871
Assembling plastic toys in Hong Kong, 1985. This was labour intensive before the onset of new manufacturing technologies.
Assembling plastic toys in Hong Kong, 1985. This was labour intensive before the onset of new manufacturing technologies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah lectures on different aspects of the history of toys and also on the entrepreneurial Frank Hornby, inventor of Meccano, the Hornby Train Set and Dinky cars, placing him within the cultural and political contexts of the first part of the 20th century.

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Deborah is frequently asked to appear on TV to talk about the recent history of toys, including on New Year’s Eve 2020 to comment on the toys of the last 50 years. Other media is here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Jaffé is an author; cultural and design historian; ceramicist and painter with special interests in the history of souvenirs and memory studies; women and innovation; childhood, play and toys.