A survey of the global toy and game inventor community has been carried out by the British Toy & Hobby Association and Mojo Nation to celebrate 70 years of Toy Fair.
The study – involving over 100 members of the global toy inventor community – was launched to celebrate 70 years of Toy Fair. As such, inventors had to choose products that were launched in the past seven decades, that they wished they had invented.
The survey results showed Jenga as the top toy or game that inventors most wished they had come up with.
The game launched at Toy Fair back in 1983, from inventor Leslie Scott. Leslie commented: “To receive such an honour from fellow designers would have been beyond my wildest dreams when I launched Jenga at the 1983 London Toy Fair. In truth, to receive it 41 years later astonishes me still!”
Comments on Jenga from the voters included “a masterpiece of sophisticated design” and “purity personified”, plus “a 3D miracle”.
Jenga was closely followed by Mattel’s Polly Pocket in second and Asmodee’s Dobble in third.
The top 10 picks were as follows:
- Jenga (1983)
- Polly Pocket (1989)
- Dobble (2009)
- Twister (1966)
- Tamagotchi (1996)
- Kenner’s Star Wars Action Figures (1978)
- Rubik’s Cube (1980)
- UNO (1971)
- Bop It (1996)
- Codenames (2015)
“It was great that both classics and modern classics made the top 10 – and that the top three happened to be inventor items is a welcome reminder of the vital role this community plays in our industry,” commented Mojo Nation’s Billy Langsworthy. “What a fun way to celebrate 70 years of the London Toy Fair – here’s to the next 70.”
Director general of the BTHA, Roland Earl, continued: “It is wonderful to take a view from such a valued group of creative people as to toys and games they wished they had invented. Creativity is the lifeblood of our amazing industry and great products with great design and enjoyment for all ages are what we are all about. As Billy says, here’s to the next 70.”
For those visiting Toy Fair 2024, a display of the top 10 choices will be located on the Toy Trust Lounge, stand UL 161.
