Way back in 1946, brothers Albert, Phillip, and Joseph Steiner set up Kenner Products, taking the name from the Cincinnati street where they started their business. One of their first hits was the Bubble-Matic Gun, a toy pistol that shot bubbles instead of bullets. This fun twist on a toy gun quickly captured the hearts of kids. The Bubble-Matic Gun's popularity sparked an entire line of bubble toys, including the Bubble Rocket, which soared in sales, topping over 1 million units by 1949.
In the 1950s, Kenner expanded its toy lineup to include building sets and the Give-a-Show Projector, which let kids watch slides of their favorite characters at home. Kenner set itself apart with innovative marketing, being one of the first in the U.S. to advertise toys on TV. They used a kid-friendly mascot, the Goon bird, and a catchy slogan, "It’s hen, it’s fun," to draw attention.
In the early 1960s, Kenner encouraged a creative environment where any employee could suggest new toy ideas. Inspired by NYC's pretzel vendors, they developed the Easy Bake Oven, allowing kids to simulate the baking experience at home. This toy became a mega hit, bringing a real baking experience into children’s playrooms selling millions of units across the country.
But every high has its lows and that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about today. not just the rise of the Easy Bake Oven but also its challenges and setbacks. From its inception to its glory days, and onto the problems that nearly cooked its goose. But before we get started, don't forget to hit that subscribe button so that we keep bringing you these exciting videos!
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