The Toys That Built America

S02E07 80's Tech Toys

During the 1980s, revolutionary advancements in technology transform not just adult life but also classic toys. Innovators venture into new realms of entertainment, breathing fresh life into beloved childhood favorites. A former amusement park worker merges his expertise in animatronics with cassette technology to develop the first lifelike talking toy. Meanwhile, a NASA engineer pioneers an exciting new category of toys, evolving the mundane squirt gun into something extraordinary. This era is marked by a technological renaissance that reshapes our lifestyles, with these toy breakthroughs leading the charge.