Mr Potato Head was the first toy to be advertised on TV.

Mr Potato Head was the first toy to be advertised on TV.

As the first toy to be marketed on television, Mr. Potato Head broke new ground with ads that specifically targeted the children who used the toy, rather than the parents who paid for it. Inventor George Lerner came up with the idea for Mr. Potato Head in 1949.

Mr. Potato Head

The toy was invented and developed by George Lerner in 1949 and first manufactured and distributed by Hasbro in 1952. Mr. Potato Head was the first toy advertised on television and has remained in production since its debut.

It is 60 years since Mr Potato Head starred in the world's first television toy advert. Did the plastic spud unleash the era of pester power?

1949 – Mr. Potato Head was invented and developed by George Lerner. George Lerner would often take potatoes from his mother's garden and, using various fruits and vegetables as facial features, he would make dolls for his younger sisters to play with.

Potato Head toy! With 11 different accessories included, kids can use their imaginations for lots of creative play when they mix and match the parts in all kinds of ways to create their own customized tater.