The History Of GI Joe

    One of the most popular and endearing toys in the history of Boys toys is G.I. Joe. Joe has been in continuous production in one form or another since 1964. Joe was the brainchild of a few toy execs in Pawtucket RI. They saw the popularity of Mattel's Barbie and developed a boys "Action Figure", being careful not to call it a doll. This would not only be the birth of Joe, but the birth of a completely new type of toy that almost EVERY toy company in the world would end up producing

    When Joe started out he was a man of the armed forces. Joe came various incarnations of the U.S. military man. Included was an Action Soldier, Action Marine, Action Sailor and Action Pilot. Not only were the figures produced, but complete accessory sets would be made to compliment Joe on his adventures. By early 1966 a Green Beret. L.S.O. Navy Deck Commander was added as well as Jeeps and other vehicles. Late 1966 saw the introduction of the Soldiers Of The World line. These were accurately detailed versions of an Australian Jungle Fighter, French Resistance Fighter, Japanese imperial Soldier, Russian Infantryman, British Commando, and German Storm Trooper. 1967 saw the introduction of a Talking Soldier with forgin head. Despite complaints for some groups, these were not produced by Hasbro to be enemies for Joe to battle. They were made to be a toy as well as a mini history lesson. Each figure came with historical facts and other fun info.

    1967 Also saw the introduction of an awesome State Trooper figure, Canadian Mountie, and one of Joe's  so called flops of the toy line, the "GI Nurse Action Girl". Parents didn't want to buy their little boys a girl figure and boys had no interest in having one. Because there was very little demand for the figure, very little of them were produced and sold. Because of the rarity the Nurse has become one of the "Holy Grail" 12" Vintage Joe items for collectors to obtain.

   It seemed that nothing could stop the GI Joe juggernaut but indeed there was one roadblock Joe could not circumvent and that was the Vietnam War. The War was taking young men's lives, as well as all the other lives that a war takes with it. Because of this Hasbro saw a decline in sales and decided that changes would have to be made in order to keep Joe profitable.


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