WhoFish - Local Events and Activities

Title:	G.I. Joe: America’s First Action Figure
Date:	8/31/2024 - 3/9/2025
Address:	The Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
Location:	Kenosha, WI
Hours:	Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm, Sunday: 12pm - 5pm
Cost/Cover:	free - $9
Web Page:	https://museums.kenosha.org/civil-war-museum/exhibits
Contact Info:	262-653-4141

Details:

For centuries, children have collected and played with toy soldiers. Early examples of soldiers made from stone, clay, or metal can be traced back to the time of ancient Egypt. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mass-produced toy soldiers made of lead, tin, cardboard, or molded plastic could be found on the market. These soldiers were favorites of children who set them up and moved them as army groups. But as fun as they were, there was a problem. None of these soldiers could actually move their arms or legs and be posed in different positions. Then, in 1964 Hassenfeld Brothers (HASBRO) introduced the G.I. Joe action figure. G.I. Joe represented soldiers from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines and were a huge step up from anything else on the toy soldier market at that time. Their bodies featured 21(!) moving parts and joints. They could kneel, sit, lay down, stand, and bend their knees and elbows. Not only that, each figure came with basic fatigues, boots, cap, and dog tags while the packaging showed images of additional uniforms, accessories, and vehicles that could be added to make them even more realistic and fun. By 1966, sales of G.I. Joe accounted for 66% of HASBRO’s profits.