Fisher Price

From ToyReview

Overview

Fisher Price is a well-known, trusted name and has earned a reputation for producing high quality products with innovative designs. In the U.S. Fisher Price enjoys 100% brand recognition among parents and is one of the top ten brands in the world. Since its founding in 1930, Fisher Price has produced over 5000 different toys – many of which have become classics (Rock-A-Stacks, The Chatter Phone, Little People). The Fisher Price brand also appears on well-known character brands such as Barney, Dora the Explorer and Winnie the Pooh. Now a subsidiary of Mattel, Fisher Price is one of their best selling brands. Fisher Price believe they've been in business to create toys that fascinate and stimulate a child's imagination. They've certainly come a long way since their founding, and the future looks bright.

Company and Product History

Founded in 1930 by Herman Fisher, Irving Price and Helen Schelle, the name Fisher Price was established by combined two of the three founders names. With their headquarters located in East Aurora, New York, Fisher Price is now a well-recognised toy brand and trusted by many. In 1931 the three founders took 16 of their wooden toys to the International Toy Fair in New York City and they quickly became a success. The first Fisher Price toy ever sold was Dr. Doodle in 1931 – the same toy, in excellent condition, would be worth a lot more today! During the 1960's, the famous 'Little People' product line was introduced and soon took over earlier toys. The Little People toys were made of wood (but are now made of plastic) and included farms and school buses etc. The product line continued to grow in popularity and during the 1970's, Little People expanded to include Sesame Street characters. Herman Fisher retired at the age of 71 in 1969 and that year Fisher-Price was acquired by The Quaker Oats Company.

In 1991, Fisher Price became independent from The Quaker Oats Company and became a publicly traded company. Two years later, in November 1993, Fisher Price merged with Mattel and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel. By 1997 Mattel decided to market all of its preschool products under the Fisher Price name. Today Fisher Price is one of the top ten brands in the world and is a household name in toys for babies, toddlers and young children. Since the creation of Fisher Price, the brand has reinvented many of its classic toys. The Chatter Telephone, for example, was launched in 1962 and has been the first telephone for over 26 million people! The phone has a smiling face and rotary dial – even though it's been around for years, it still provides entertainment for children today. Rock-A-Stack is another classic – with colourful rings that have to be placed in order of size onto a pole – young children learn colours and develop their co-ordination. Since the introduction of Rock-A-Stacks in 1960, over 40 million have been sold!

Fisher Price has created over 5,000 different toys since the brand was founded in 1930, and many toys have become classics – remaining popular for generations of young children. Some of the best known classic brands include Power Wheels, View Master, Rescue Heroes and Little People. Other brands marketed under the Fisher Price name include Disney, Sesame Street, Barney, Dora the Explorer and See 'N Say. Fisher Price celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2005 but is still going strong – the brand is known for its excellent standards of quality and innovation.

Fisher Price Toys

Fisher Price's products/brands are many and varied, but all are made to the same high level of quality. Their values include producing innovative, durable, safe products that provide good value for money and an excellent standard of quality. Fisher Price pride themselves on striving for excellence and exceeding customer expectations. There have been so many Fisher Price classics that have been enjoyed by generations of children that they're obviously doing something right! Some of the toys have been around for years but are just as popular as when they were first introduced to the market.

Sub Brands and Owners

• Mattel
• Dora the Explorer
• Barney
• Winnie the Pooh

External Websites

• Fisher Price

User Reviews

Comment by Alison Guerriere, Thursday 31st July 2008
Rating:

The Fun 2 Learn Teaching Clock needs a sound off or off switch. I can't turn off the mooing, cacadoodling, etc. I have to leave it on our porch so it doesn't wake me up at night. If FP added the off switch plus programming for parents to have the clock help tell their kids "10 minutes until bedtime" etc. it would be brilliant.