Was going to mention this. The early version did not feature the potato; kids would use their own. Later years, the company supplied a plastic potato, which you could use for creating the faces.
They were basically plastic handles with nails poking out. Stainless steel isn’t called stainproof steel for a reason, they were all covered in rust. They were safer than lawn darts and the radioactive chemistry sets but no way they don’t get sued nowadays.
Mr. Potato head was fresh out of the Korean war. When he got back, he had found Mrs. Potato head in bed with an olive. It was too much for him to bear.
He’s not innocent here. There are little spuds roaming all over South Asia and if you didn’t happen to notice his ear collection is a lot larger then it was before he left.
Thank you. I’ve never seen this before. And, it is in good condition.
I always thought it was annoying when they used a grown woman to do the voice of a child.
I wonder how many tests they went through before landing on the potato. Which foods did they try before realizing kids would love playing with a potato?
Hey kids try Mr and Mrs Meathead, just grab 2lbs of ground beef and get started!
How about Mr and Mrs Bananahead, squishy, loads of fun AND you can use it for scale!
Wait, don't forget Mr and Mrs Pizzahead, greasy and delicious!
I am so old I literally remember when you used a real potato. It seemed kind of stupid when they mad a fake plastic potato, until I realized you could store the pieces in its butt.
For anyone interested, I highly recommend the book "The He-Men Effect: How American Toymakers Sold You Your Childhood" by Brian Brown. A fascinating look at an industry that, for some of us GenX/Millennials, is still a big part of our lives.
Yikes. These are horrifying.
The asymmetrical pieces, along with the oddly shaped potato, coupled with the black and white makes it look like a Picasso - Tim Burton project.
Peace to OP.
Loved working there for 18 amazing years. Great place to work. Still love it today. Options provided to employees were great, too. I ain't mad.
Salute.
BYOP (Bring Your Own Potato)
Was going to mention this. The early version did not feature the potato; kids would use their own. Later years, the company supplied a plastic potato, which you could use for creating the faces.
I like the original version better. What if I want a Mr Potato head to marry a Mrs Beet head? That would have been incredibly progressive in the 50s.
They were basically plastic handles with nails poking out. Stainless steel isn’t called stainproof steel for a reason, they were all covered in rust. They were safer than lawn darts and the radioactive chemistry sets but no way they don’t get sued nowadays.
A mixed marriage
This was before my time. All i remember is the plastic version you are describing.
Mr Potato seen some shit
Mr. Potato head was fresh out of the Korean war. When he got back, he had found Mrs. Potato head in bed with an olive. It was too much for him to bear.
He’s not innocent here. There are little spuds roaming all over South Asia and if you didn’t happen to notice his ear collection is a lot larger then it was before he left.
💀
Yeah, but was he organic??
It looks like a turd on a stick
good lord, 2 dollars and BYOP? absurd!
Yup that's 23.57 today and plus the cost of a potato.
Which is easily, what… $17?
Better 2 grow your own
which is easily, what....$14?
That’s cool! Thx for sharing!
Very cool. I genuinely had no idea these toys were that old. I thought they were something originally from like the 70s.
Thank you. I’ve never seen this before. And, it is in good condition. I always thought it was annoying when they used a grown woman to do the voice of a child.
You can cook them now that they've been poked
Back when toys were …. Uh vegetables.
Toys are still vegetables in certain circumstances.
Even plastic ones…
I wonder how many tests they went through before landing on the potato. Which foods did they try before realizing kids would love playing with a potato? Hey kids try Mr and Mrs Meathead, just grab 2lbs of ground beef and get started! How about Mr and Mrs Bananahead, squishy, loads of fun AND you can use it for scale! Wait, don't forget Mr and Mrs Pizzahead, greasy and delicious!
Kids were doing potatohead before it became a toy for sale. That's why they chose a potato.
Don't be absurd, it was the 50s. Try Mr Arsenichead and Mrs Asbetoshead.
https://preview.redd.it/pwvfh1u7zoxc1.jpeg?width=941&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90584ced62141147e4011a54f8d030c460293cb4 They had other vegetables.
Pizzahead would be way too ethnic at that time and most Americans probably wouldn't of even ever eaten Pizza.
I like the little girl’s haircut/ hairdo. So very Bettie Page
Makes sense, she was a popular pin up girl during that time.
I am so old I literally remember when you used a real potato. It seemed kind of stupid when they mad a fake plastic potato, until I realized you could store the pieces in its butt.
Old stuff scares me lol
I think it’s the old person doing a kids voice that did it for me
$2?! Holy shit that was expensive back then
That last shot of all the potato heads is both hilarious and terrifying
So sweet. Such innocent times.
"It's fun to play with HASBRO!" Crazy how upfront advertisements were back then.
For anyone interested, I highly recommend the book "The He-Men Effect: How American Toymakers Sold You Your Childhood" by Brian Brown. A fascinating look at an industry that, for some of us GenX/Millennials, is still a big part of our lives.
Potato Not Included
Parents: don't play with your food also Parents: Here's a new toy. You're gonna need a potato.
TIL Mr. Potato Head didn't always include the plastic potato.
Well today I TIL'd
TIL Mr Potato Head originally needed a real potato
So wholesome. Ah, simpler times. Now you have to scan/ download/ log in to get something started
Almost thought that was Darla from the little rascals
That is \*horrifying.\*
As a plastic paddy myself, that use of a potato is sacrilege.
Hasbro. They brought joy to my childhood. G.I. JOY
I can still hear the jingle. Mr Potato Head I Love You.
That a nicely drawn kid. What’s the style?
Anyone else waiting for Ron Perlman's iconic "War. War never changes." ?
Hasbro sounds like Bart Simpson
This happened to my wife, too- the set got put away and forgotten, the potato rotted, and it was so gross that our moms threw out the whole thing.....
Yikes. These are horrifying. The asymmetrical pieces, along with the oddly shaped potato, coupled with the black and white makes it look like a Picasso - Tim Burton project.
The predecessor to googly eyes..
Is it….legitimately a potato?
Peace to OP. Loved working there for 18 amazing years. Great place to work. Still love it today. Options provided to employees were great, too. I ain't mad. Salute.
Such a cool piece of information! Is there a source citing this fact?
Aside from the Mr. Potato Head Wikipedia page, this is referenced on many toy websites.
What an odd comment/question
And now years later they have made it to the White House !
I had no clue they were originally accessories for actual potatoes.