Is it finally time for Barbie’s sidekick to go from being “just Ken” to National Toy Hall of Fame inductee?
The Mattel doll launched in 1961 and brought to lifestyle by Ryan Gosling in the blockbuster “Barbie” movie is among the 12 finalists becoming viewed as for induction this yr, the Hall of Fame introduced Wednesday.
He is up towards baseball playing cards, Battleship, Bingo, Bop It, Cabbage Patch Children, Choose Your Own Experience gamebooks, Hook up 4, Little Tykes Cozy Coupe, Nerf, slime and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The National Toy Hall of Fame, housed at The Strong Museum in Rochester, is marking its 25th anniversary with a sturdy slate of finalists, claimed Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections.
“This may possibly have been the yr of Barbie at the box business office, but maybe Ken will share some of the highlight by obtaining inducted,” Bensch reported of the character, who in the movie sings “I’m Just Ken.”
Barbie was inducted as element of the Hall of Fame’s inaugural course in 1998.
This year’s honorees will be inducted Nov. 9 next voting by a variety committee and the community. Each individual member of the 22-particular person skilled committee will forged ballots for the top rated a few. The a few toys getting the most public votes by Sept. 20 will make up a single ballot.
Anyone can nominate a toy for the Hall of Fame, but to be deemed for induction, toys ought to have achieved icon standing and longevity throughout generations. They also ought to be ground breaking and foster studying or creativeness as a result of play.
Final 12 months, Lite-Brite, Masters of the Universe and the leading had been inducted, bringing to 80 the range of honorees to day.
