April 30, 2025 – Mr. Potato Head

On April 30, 1952, Mr. Potato Head made history by being the first toy advertised on television! It was also the first campaign to directly target children. Before this, commercials were only aimed at adults. Between 1949 and 1952, the sales of TVs had increased exponentially, and there also happened to be a massive polio outbreak in 1952, resulting in more kids spending time indoors. Because of this, over a million kits were sold that first year. Originally, Mr. Potato Head was called the Funny Face Man. Face and body parts were sold in a kit and meant to be used in actual fruits and vegetables. The plastic potato body was introduced in 1964. Today, Mr. Potato Head is in the National Toy Hall of Fame, and more than 100 million Mr. Potato Head toys have been sold in more than 30 countries around the world. Learn more in the audio below.