Lite Brite was one of the most iconic and popular 80s toy, thanks to its simple yet creative concept that allowed children to set their imaginations free.
While there were countless toys available throughout the 80s, one of the most iconic yet simplest toys available was Lite Brite. This educational toy allowed children to create glowing, colorful images by inserting colorful plastic pegs at the front of the box, to create a mesmerizing, and vibrant display. It ended up becoming more than just a toy, and grew to become a symbol of the era’s creativity and playfulness.
The Popularity of a Unique and Memorable 80s Toy
After all, the 80s were marked by rapid technological advancements, economic growth, and a rise in mass media. In all of these helped to influence the toy industry at the time. While computers and video games began to emerge, more traditional toys like Lite Brite provided children with a screen-free alternative. And, the toy industry saw a huge surge in creativity as more and more manufacturers introduced products that encouraged hands-on interaction over LCD screens.
When coupled with the decade’s love for bright and bold colors, Light Brite quickly grew in popularity. There was a rise in visual toys like the Light Brite, but none of them were quite as successful. This popular yet creative 80s toy came with a wide selection of black construction paper designs that could be placed over a plastic screen that was mounted in front of a light. Kids would take handfuls of colorful, translucent pegs and push them through the construction paper into the plastic screen. Once the entire design had been filled, they would turn off the lights in the bedroom and plug in the Light Brite to see their handiwork in full display.
How Lite Brite Became a Popular 80s Toy
to truly understand how Lite Brite became a popular 80s toy, we need to take a closer look at educational toys of the decade, the rise of television and mass media, and the popularity of customizable toys.
The Birth of the Educational 80s Toy
It’s important to remember that Light Brite was a huge part of the trend throughout the decade that focused on toys that were designed to stimulate creativity and learning. It was designed to offer an artistic outlet that allowed children to create their own illuminated designs. Granted, it came with a number of premade templates, but the possibilities were endless. The use of art and light helped to capture the imagination of children across the country. And, it also promoted fine motor skills at the same time.
This simple yet highly engaging design of the Light Brite helped the toy to stand out in a market that was beginning to see a rise in complex electronic devices. As a result, it appealed to both children and adults of all ages. The children simply fell in love with the colors in the artistic appeal, while parents appreciated the educational value of the toy.
Television and Marketing for 80s Toy
But, Light Brite would not have been as popular if it weren’t for the television and marketing of the 80s. One of the biggest advantages that the toy had, was the colorful, catchy commercials that were shown in the afternoons, and during Saturday morning cartoons. The glowing imagery was perfectly suited for the television, and the ability to create endless possibilities inspired the imaginations of countless children across the nation.
This marketing tragedy helped the Light Brite to stand out in a highly competitive toy industry. As more and more toy companies began to invest in television commercials toys like Light Brite, Transformers, He-Man, G.I. Joe, and countless others became instantly recognizable due to their appearance alongside the Saturday morning cartoons.
A Customizable 80s Toy
But, it’s important to remember that the Light Brite was more than just a toy for kids. It was a highly customizable 80s toy, that allowed it to be popular with people of all ages. In an era where video games and action figures were very popular, Light Brite offered them something completely different. Children could easily use them to express their own personalities and ideas through their designs. And, even adults would get in on the fun. I remember one year, my own mother used my Light Brite as part of the countertop display at the Howard Johnson’s she managed.
Marvin Glass and the Lite Brite Origins
However, we would never have had the light Brite if it weren’t for Marvin Glass and Associates. Marvin Glass was a visionary in the toy industry, and his company played a crucial role in developing the light Brite at that as well as other very popular 80s toys like Mouse Trap and Operation. Marvin Glass would often team up with Hasbro, to manufacture the designs he created. Thanks to the marketing prowess at Hasbro, Light Brites were found in millions of homes across the nation.
Lite-Brite Was A Cultural Icon
Light Brite had an impact on the culture that extended well beyond the 80s. While it featured a simple yet captivating design, it quickly became a timeless toy that entertained children in the 90s and beyond. Long before there were tablets and smartphones, this toy provided children with a way to engage in creativity using light and colors. And, over the years, Hasbro released new templates that could be used to create all new displays or special holiday-themed light displays.
In recent years, Light Brite has become a nostalgia symbol for the 80s. The toy represents a simpler time in childhood when the toys we own encourage creativity and hands-on play. Anyone who grew up in the 80s remembers signing the little glowing pegs everywhere on the floor. And, even today, contractors around the country are signing little pegs from the 80s during home renovations, that have quite literally fallen through the cracks. In fact, Light Brite was so popular, that it was featured as a crucial part of the Netflix series Stranger Things, and played an integral role in season four.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Light Brite remains a defining toy of the 80s. It was cherished for its creative potential and simplicity. In a decade that saw many rapid advancements in technology and culture, light Brite stood out as a toy that allowed children across the country to explore their imagination in a more hands-on way. And, today, its cultural legacy continues as a nostalgia symbol for those who grew up in one of the most iconic decades of modern history.
