The Strong Museum of Play and the National Toy Hall of Fame have revealed the new inductees to the Toy Hall of Fame which is housed at The Strong Museum in Rochester, New York.
Of the 12 finalists up for induction, two games – Battleship and Trivial Pursuit – and some sticky goo known as slime made the grade and will join the Hall of Fame.
Toys that become a part of the National Toy Hall of Fame are those that are recognized for their longevity, cultural impact, and spark of creativity.
Generations of families have heard the cry, “you sunk my Battleship!!!” as young military strategists sought to outsmart their opponents in the game of “Battleship”. The game has gone on to sell over 100 million copies.
The game of “Trivial Pursuit” tests the knowledge of players in a variety of topics as they work their way around the board. The game was created by Canadian journalists Chris Haney and Scott Abbott and has gone on to sell over 100 million games.
Slime first made its way into the general population in 1976 and ever since has been manufactured and made at home.
Strong Museum curator Michelle Parnett-Dwyer spoke on the gooey toy saying, “though slime continues to carry icky connotations to slugs and swamps — all part of the fun for some — the toy offers meaningful play. . For others, it has therapeutic benefits—offering stress relief and enhancing fine motor skills.”
The three new Hall of Fame members beat out Catan, Connect Four, cornhole, Furby, scooter, snow, Spirograph, Star Wars lightsaber, and Tickle Me Elmo for the honour. They will join the National Toy Hall of Fame collection on the second floor of the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.