The Evolution of Dinosaur Toys: How They've Changed Over the Years

Dinosaurs are a common theme in kids' rooms, as children often love them. New dinosaur toys can even be effective educational tools, as they spark interest in paleontology and imaginative play. While it's easy to think of these figurines as scientific models, they actually have a fraught history. In fact, the earliest designs were far from accurate.

The 1950s: Lasting Misinformation

For a long time, artists only drew fossils rather than fully rendered dinosaurs, as there was no way to guess what these reptiles looked like. While the bones provided a general idea, the soft tissues that give animals their shape were long gone. However, innovative artists, called paleoartists, decided to give it a shot in the late 1800s.

The result was thin, scaly dinosaurs. While a good attempt, they are a far cry from what scientists now think these creatures actually looked like. However, they were incredibly popular and quickly entered the public consciousness.

When manufacturers started making dinosaur figurines for kids, they used these designs as a blueprint. As a result, many children grew up playing with old dinosaur toys that were technically inaccurate.

The 1980s: More Accurate Designs

Paleontologists and paleoartists did crucial work during the 1960s and 1970s that influenced the look of new dinosaur toys. For instance, they discovered and disseminated the following corrections:

• The Tyrannosaurus rex used its tail to balance horizontally rather than standing upright.
• Most dinosaurs had feathers.
• The apatosaurus had an elongated, not round, snout.

Unfortunately, toy design didn't shift immediately. It was cheaper to keep the old molds, so many toy companies didn't update their offerings until the 1980s when dinosaurs had a new wave of popularity.

"Jurassic Park," which came out in 1993, sparked a new dino-mania. Kids wanted toys of their favorites from the movie, prompting companies to update their models. Unfortunately, the film depicts some species inaccurately, leading to a new cycle of misinformation. However, manufacturers that focused on toys as educational tools continued to prioritize accuracy. As a result, parents had plenty of options when choosing which new dinosaur toys to purchase.

The 2000s: New Species Discovered

Over the past 20 years, paleontologists have made even more discoveries:

• The T. rex wasn't the largest predator.
• There were dinosaurs smaller than the palm of a human hand.
• Dinosaurs likely came in many colors.
• Some species had fur.

While the toy industry may have resisted change 50 years ago, today's companies know that information about extinct species isn't set in stone. Scientists have much better tools, allowing them to glean more information from small samples — sometimes, the new information turns old ideas on their heads. The accuracy of new dinosaur toys is important, as kids will carry those images long after they've outgrown their toys. 

Today: Educational Toys for Imaginative Play

Seventy years after they hit the market, dinosaur figurines still capture children's imaginations. You can nurture this wonder by providing vibrant, well-made toys that are fun to play with. Fortunately, Safari Ltd. sells a wide range of figures, including models of these ancient reptiles. Check out the latest designs on the Safari Ltd. website.

Sources:

• https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/palaeoart-the-history-of-bringing-dinosaurs-back-to-life.html
• https://blog.nms.ac.uk/2020/12/17/the-evolution-of-toy-tyrants/
• https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/health/dinosaur-psychology-children-wellness-scn/index.html
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/man-claims-worlds-largest-collection-dinosaurs-180960130/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMost%20%5Btoy%20dinosaurs%5D%20were,in%20the%201950s%2C%20Knol%20says.
• https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/how-science-made-your-dino-toys-extinct/
• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/releaseinfo/