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{{Short description|Children's toy}} |
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[[File:Wooly Willy 01.jpg|thumb|The original Wooly Willy was manufactured by the Smethport Specialty Company in 1955]] |
[[File:Wooly Willy 01.jpg|thumb|The original Wooly Willy was manufactured by the Smethport Specialty Company in 1955]] |
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'''Funny Face,''' '''Betty Brunette,''' and '''Dapper Dan''' were similar toys. |
'''Funny Face,''' '''Betty Brunette,''' and '''Dapper Dan''' were similar toys. |
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The Woolly Willy trademark is currently held by the [[Beloit, Wisconsin]]-based company [[PlayMonster]], formerly known as Patch Products, which purchased the Smethport Specialty Company in 2008.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} |
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A company called [[PlayMonster|PlayMonster,]] in Beloit, Wisconsin says they hold the Woolly Willie trademark now. |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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<ref name="Waggoner">{{cite book|last=Waggoner|first=Susan|title=Under the Tree: The Toys and Treats That Made Christmas Special, 1930-1970|publisher=Stewart, Tabori & Chang|year=2007|isbn=978-1-58479-641-1|location=New York|page=111}}</ref> |
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==Creation== |
==Creation== |
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The artwork for the first Wooly Willy was created by artist Leonard Mackowski of Bradford, Pa. His signature is found hidden in the grass on the reverse side.<ref name="Rich">{{cite book |title=Warman's 101 Greatest Baby Boomer Toys |last=Rich |first=Mark |year=2005 |publisher=kp books |isbn=0-89689-220-4 |page=193}}</ref> |
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==Launch== |
==Launch== |
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Priced at [[US$]]0.29, Wooly Willy was successfully launched on the market in 1955.<ref name="Waggoner"/> A buyer for [[G. C. Murphy]] [[dime store]] chain initially purchased six dozen of the toy and expected not to sell them for a year. The buyer called Herzog just two days later and ordered 12,000 for nationwide distribution.<ref name=attoun>Attoun, Marti. "Wooly Willy Attracting Smiles for 50 years". ''American Profile'' Sep. 27 - Oct. 5, p 12.</ref> [[F. W. Woolworth Company]] also distributed the toy. More than 75 million Wooly Willies have been sold.<ref name=attoun/> |
Priced at [[US$]]0.29, Wooly Willy was successfully launched on the market in 1955.<ref name="Waggoner"/> A buyer for [[G. C. Murphy]] [[dime store]] chain initially purchased six dozen of the toy and expected not to sell them for a year. The buyer called Herzog just two days later and ordered 12,000 for nationwide distribution.<ref name=attoun>Attoun, Marti. "Wooly Willy Attracting Smiles for 50 years". ''American Profile'' Sep. 27 - Oct. 5, p 12.</ref> [[F. W. Woolworth Company]] also distributed the toy. More than 75 million Wooly Willies have been sold.<ref name=attoun/> |
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Funny Face, Brunette Betty, and Dapper Dan were similar creations by Smethport Specialty Company. Dapper Dan was featured on a 10-1/2" x 14" display card and was billed on the card as a "[[secret agent]], chosen because of his easily disguised face. Alter his appearance to help him carry out his investigations." Pictures on the card depicted Dapper Dan as a scientist, detective, magician, and other characters.<ref name="Rich" /> |
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==Honors== |
==Honors== |
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Wooly Willy became a [[Baby Boomer]] |
Wooly Willy became a hit with young [[Baby Boomer|baby boomer]]s, and remains in production as of 2010<ref name="Rich"/> by the Smethport Specialty Company, which is now owned by PlayMonster. PlayMonster was known as Patch Products until 2016.<ref name=attoun/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/manufacturing/miscellaneous-mfg-doll-toy-games-games/5673984-1.html |title=Toy Industry Association Announces Its "Century of Toys List" |publisher=Business Wire |date=2003-01-21 |accessdate=2008-10-29}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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<references/> That 70s Show; season 2, episode 15. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
Latest revision as of 19:00, 5 December 2022
Wooly Willy is a toy in which metal filings are moved about with a magnetic wand to add features to a cartoon face.[1] The toy was originally manufactured in Smethport, Pennsylvania and was launched on the toy market in 1955. It remains in production as of 2016.[2]
Funny Face, Betty Brunette, and Dapper Dan were similar toys.
The Woolly Willy trademark is currently held by the Beloit, Wisconsin-based company PlayMonster, formerly known as Patch Products, which purchased the Smethport Specialty Company in 2008.[citation needed]
Description
Creation
The artwork for the first Wooly Willy was created by artist Leonard Mackowski of Bradford, Pa. His signature is found hidden in the grass on the reverse side.[4]
Launch
Priced at US$0.29, Wooly Willy was successfully launched on the market in 1955.[3] A buyer for G. C. Murphy dime store chain initially purchased six dozen of the toy and expected not to sell them for a year. The buyer called Herzog just two days later and ordered 12,000 for nationwide distribution.[5] F. W. Woolworth Company also distributed the toy. More than 75 million Wooly Willies have been sold.[5]
Honors
Wooly Willy became a hit with young baby boomers, and remains in production as of 2010[4] by the Smethport Specialty Company, which is now owned by PlayMonster. PlayMonster was known as Patch Products until 2016.[5][6]
References
- ^ "The Magnetic Appeal of Wooly Willy". www.mentalfloss.com. 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
- ^ "Original Wooly Willy". Play Monster. 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
- ^ a b Waggoner, Susan (2007). Under the Tree: The Toys and Treats That Made Christmas Special, 1930-1970. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-58479-641-1.
- ^ a b Rich, Mark (2005). Warman's 101 Greatest Baby Boomer Toys. kp books. p. 193. ISBN 0-89689-220-4.
- ^ a b c Attoun, Marti. "Wooly Willy Attracting Smiles for 50 years". American Profile Sep. 27 - Oct. 5, p 12.
- ^ "Toy Industry Association Announces Its "Century of Toys List"". Business Wire. 2003-01-21. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
External links
- "Smethport's Wooly Willy". Retrieved 2009-02-10.