G I Joe Action Figure

Who created G.I. Joe Action Figure?

G I Joe Action Figure Original Prototype was a hero to a generation of kids. And a windfall to Hasbro, the toy corporation that created him. 

In the 1960s, there were no famous masculine toy figures for boys. Then in 1962, Stanley Weston, the mastermind of G.I Joe Action Figure Original Prototype, approached Hasbro. He shared the concept of a 12-inch boy’s military figure with Bon Levine, Hasbro executive. And he saw the potential of this toy. After that, Weston sold the entire idea to Hasbro for $100,000. 

In 1964, Hasbro introduced its first figure issue, the G I Joe Action Figure Original Prototype. G.I Joe’s name comes from the 1945 film The Story of G.I. Joe. Robert Mitchum stars in Joe. Hasbro designed various characters. One for each of the four parts of the military. Each of its own set of uniforms and personal equipment.

Imaged Credit: dailymail.co.uk

What makes this one unique?

The 1964 G.I. Joe Action Figure Original Prototype was the first-ever doll sold to boys. 

It’s essentially a collection of plastic, fabric, and painstakingly painted wiring in great detail. Experts label the foot-tall figure the ‘holy grail’ of toy collecting.

The figure’s hand-sewn clothing consists of olive-drab fatigues and a four-pocket field jacket with sergeant’s chevrons and the Third Infantry Division’s distinctive blue and white emblem. In addition, it comes with a hand-stitched rucksack, black fabric boots, and a plastic combat helmet.

The National Toy Hall of Fame has appropriately inducted the GI Joe brand (around 2004). As a result, this priceless, iconic artifact has become one of the world’s most essential cultural touchstones.

Photo by Victoria Arocho

How much is the action figure worth today?

Bidding begins at $125,000, pricing most children out of the market. However, in 2003, the same doll sold for more than $200,000, and auctioneers are anticipating an even greater price this time.

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