The creator of the action figure is unknown.
In 1963, G.I. Joe made his debut, named after the U.S. military term, and made his way onto shelves just in time for the 1964 Christmas toy-buying season. The brainchild of Stan Weston, the idea was pitched to Hasbro's Vice President of Development, Don Levine. It was Levine who coined the term 'action figure' for G.I. Joe.
Initially, G.I. Joe's uniforms represented the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. As the popularity of G.I. Joe grew, his uniforms became available in various nations' styles. This military-themed doll soon became a cultural phenomenon, with over 21 moving parts and a towering height of 12 inches.
G.I. Joe's success didn't stop at the toy aisle. He went on to become a Marvel comic-book character and a movie hero. In 2004, G.I. Joe was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring appeal. While the original G.I. Joe was a big hit, today's versions are mostly smaller in size.
Despite the lack of information about who initiated G.I. Joe's induction into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2004, there's no denying the impact it had. G.I. Joe was voted the most popular toy of the last 100 years in a poll conducted by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
For those interested in the history of G.I. Joe, Barbie doll, and other toys, resources can be found on Half the Battle, Hasbro, Mattel, and The Toy Association's websites. For a more personal account of G.I. Joe's creation, Jay Weston's article can be found on the Huffington Post.
While G.I. Joe's origins are rooted in military history, the impact he's had on popular culture goes beyond that. His story serves as a reminder of the enduring power of imagination and play.
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