April 30, 1952: Mr. Potato Head Makes TV History!

On April 30, 1952, something amazing happened in the world of toys and television: Mr. Potato Head became the first toy ever advertised on TV!

This wasn’t just a big moment for Mr. Potato Head — it was a game-changer for how toys (and pretty much everything else!) would be marketed to families from then on.

A New Way to Play (and to Sell!)

Before 1952, advertising was mostly aimed at adults. But when Mr. Potato Head hit the airwaves, it was a whole new ballgame. For the first time, kids were directly encouraged to ask their parents for a toy they saw on TV — and it worked!
Mr. Potato Head quickly became a massive hit, proving that commercials aimed at kids could be incredibly powerful.

The original Mr. Potato Head set was a little different than the one we know today. Instead of a plastic potato body, kids used real potatoes (or other vegetables) and stuck in the included plastic face parts like eyes, noses, and mouths. (Can you imagine the clean-up?) It wasn’t until 1964 that the full plastic potato body we know and love was introduced.

Why Mr. Potato Head Mattered

Mr. Potato Head wasn’t just a toy; he was a pioneer. His debut:

• Changed how companies advertised to kids

• Opened the door for generations of iconic TV toy ads (think Barbie, G.I. Joe, and beyond!)

• Made creative, customizable play even more popular

And of course, Mr. Potato Head went on to become a beloved character in pop culture, even starring in the Toy Story movie series, where he captured the hearts of a whole new generation.

Fun Fact!

When Mr. Potato Head was first sold, the kit cost 98 cents, and parents were expected to supply the actual vegetable! Times sure have changed — but the fun of mixing and matching silly faces remains timeless.

Today, we tip our hats (and maybe our plastic noses) to Mr. Potato Head — the little spud who made big advertising history on April 30, 1952!