Star Wars action figures and the game dominoes have been added to the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York, according to the Chicago Tribune .
George Lucas’ memorable characters who wage epic battles in galaxies far, far away join such toy luminaries as Barbie, Mr. Potato Head, and the teddy bear in the Toy Hall of Fame located at a children’s and cultural museum in New York.
“Darth Vader is in the house,” curator Patricia Hogan said in a recent interview. “The characters from Star Wars tie into a story that is as ancient as Greek or Roman mythology. They are a force to be reckoned with.”
Feel free to insert a rim shot right here.
“I like to think that what links dominoes and the action figures this year is they’re both small but powerful products that create play opportunities,” said chief curator Christopher Bensch. “We hold those up against our three big criteria: longevity, recognition, and creative learning-engagement play, not just pushing a button and letting something do its trick.”
Houma Today reports that the Star Wars action figures managed to beat out such stiff competition as the board game Clue and those little green army figures boys used to play with back in the day.
Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Lite-Brite, the Magic 8 Ball, the pogo stick, sidewalk chalk, the electronic game Simon, the tea set, and the party game Twister were also refused entry to the National Toy Hall of Fame this year. The items could make their way into the museum at some point in the future.
“Play is an essential activity, critical to learning and to human development,” Bensch said. “Play is also a window into understanding American culture.”
At present, only 49 toys have made the cut.
Do you think the Star Wars action figures are the perfect addition to the National Toy Hall of Fame?
