Name: The Toys That Built The World
Genre: Documentary

Against the backdrop of major events in American history, visionaries like Milton Bradley, the Parker Brothers and Merrill Hassenfeld all courted failure on their way to building billion-dollar empires.

The Toys That Built The World

{programTitle} | {programTitleSuffix}

Others (Documentary) • 2025 • 13

Before World War II, board games were mostly simple, but postwar peace and prosperity revealed a demand for more challenging pastimes. After decades of struggle, three different innovators break the mould.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep01

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles high-kick their way into the action figure market in the late 1980s, opening the door for a new kind of martial arts toy. But their place at the top is soon challenged.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep02

Two chance discoveries in the 1950s turn mundane industrial materials into legendary toys. Etch A Sketch and Play-Doh will rake in billions for decades to come, but not everyone will reap the rewards.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep03

Thanks to the industry-defining innovations of three men through the creation of games like Super Mario and Pokémon, Nintendo goes from a struggling playing card company to a video game juggernaut.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep04

In 1983, underdog company Tonka sets out to bring a game-changing toy from Japan to America: the transformable robot. But they're soon confronted by industry giant, Hasbro, who has its own competing line.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep05

In the 1970s, the board game industry is aimed almost entirely at children, until a literal game changer comes along in Trivial Pursuit. Redefining the possibilities for adult fun.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep06

As toys become increasingly complex in the early 1970s, two unconventional inventors risk their homes and careers to bring revolutionary twists to classic games.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep07

Santa Claus is one of the most beloved figures—and famous faces—on Earth, a symbol of hope and goodwill for all. But how did this third-century saint become the Santa we know today?

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep08

From Lionel Trains to video games, for the right collector, our childhood toys can be worth millions! Over the last decades, people have paid some truly outrageous prices for the toys they always wanted.

The Toys That Built the World S3 Ep09

For six decades two silly but savvy entrepreneurs—S.S. Adams and H. Fishlove—turned their love of a good joke into a booming prank toy industry. Their rivalry produced hundreds of tricks and gags.