Heinz History Center's New Exhibit Features Toy Retrospective

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- "We have the rise of television in people's homes."

Curator Emily Ruby leads a preview tour of Heinz History Center's newest exhibit: "Toys of the '50s, '60s and '70s."

She notes that gender also played a major role. Barbie was born in 1959. Her counterpart was GI Joe.

"And of course, dangerous toys like the dart, which you see is stuck on the 'turkey' there on the grill," she says.

In the '70s, consumer advocates spoke out against toys that could be harmful to children.

"This is also the time of Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers being on television," the curator continues. "Educational television programming."

For more information on the exhibit, visit the Heinz History Center's website here.

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She says the exhibit includes more than 500 vintage toys, including many produced in western Pennsylvania.

"On the North Side, we have the Wolverine toy company. Pinball machines for boys, and early Sunny Suzy homemaking appliances for girls. We also have the Slinky, which was made in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania," she said.

It remains popular to this day.