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Enjoy Classic Children's Toys: Mr. Potato Head

Now Mr. And Mrs. Potato Head Are Even Hollywood Stars

Vincent  Summers
Who alive today hasn't heard of Mr. Potato Head? Invented by George Lerner, Mr. Potato Head was first sold in 1952. Would you believe he only cost 98 cents then? The company that sold him was Hasbro, named that because Henry and Merrill Hassenfeld, two brothers, were partners in the company.1 Today, he remains a popular toy for young children. Original owners of a Mr. Potato Head toy might take a real vegetable such as a potato and insert, at various locations, eyes and glasses, a hat, a mustache and nose, ears, a mouth and pipe, and a body complete with hands and feet. Did you know that Mr. Potato Head was the first toy ever to be advertised on television?

One Potato Two Potato

Today, the real piece of food has been replaced, and while it may be that some of the aesthetic appeal is gone, at least food is not wasted. Besides, something has been added. As in the case of the first man Adam's needing a wife and receiving one, Mr. Potato Head needed a wife and now he has one, Mrs. Potato Head!

More Fun with Our Friend

But, today I have special good news for all lovers of everything potato - there is a Java (online) Mr. Potato Head! You kids (and adults, if no one is looking) can play with a Java Mr. Potato Head on your computer, here!

And here is another Java Potato Head that can also become a Mr. Lemon, a Mrs. Pepper, or a Miss Onion.

In addition to Java Mr. Potato Head, here is a collector's website.

Personal Appearances

Yes, Mr. Potato Head is by no means ready to leave us. He was portrayed in Walt Disney's Toy Story and Toy Story 2. In addition, he has been in a comic strip, and on television. He was in the 2006 Macy's Day Parade. Yes, Mr. Potato Head is not about to retire from entertaining us.

There is a Mr. Potato Head website, considered the "official spud site" where you can discover many lovely things about the world's favorite vegetable toy. There is even a commercial you can watch on your computer (see my facebook associated bookmark).

A Coming Attraction

What does the future hold for our dear chum? Apparently, there is to be a Toy Story 3, and we will see him return once again for our viewing pleasure. Wikipedia tells us it is slated for release June 18, 2010.

1 Walsh, Tim. Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Made Them. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2005.

Published by Vincent Summers

My secular expertise includes 23 years of experience at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, with a share in NASA's extended Voyager 2 effort. I formerly wrote for Demand Studios, Suite 101, Examiner, B...   View profile

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  • sexyskull 5/19/2010

    mr.potato head was cool but now we internet and stuff like that so we dont have time to play with him anymore sorry mr.potato head we loved you very much

  • Danielle "L" 2/25/2009

    I loved my Mr. Potato head when I was a kid!

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