Kid Stuff: Easy Bake Oven
Easy Bake Oven was created by Kenner, which was bought by General Mills, which sold the line to Tonka, which was bought by Hasbro. Nothing Easy about that. Uploaded by toyandtrain.com.
When introduced in 1963, the Easy Bake Oven looked like a conventional oven (well, if ovens came in turquoise), used a light bulb as a heat source, and more than 500,000 little girls got one that first year.
Kenner was eventually bought by General Mills, which then sold it to Tonka, which was then bought by Hasbro. Each version of the company loved the EBO, however, and has continued to manufacture it through the years.
Uploaded by amazon.com.
The shape of the EBO has changed to reflect changes in ovens. Today’s is designed like a microwave oven. Not only has the shape changed, but so have the accessories sold with the oven. A timer… a potato chip maker… a warming tray… a capability to make french fries and pizza.
Sure kids have burned their fingers. Yes, some were concerned with giving girls toys that made them act like girls. But you have to hand it to the Easy Bake Oven. When other fad toys have come and gone, the EBO was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2006.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpFjQoWMUoU]