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The Toy Association

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1903

The first Toy Fair launched in February 1903, which featured less than ten toy companies.

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1916

The Toy Manufacturers of the USA establishes its first offices in the Flatiron Building, in New York City.

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1917

The International Toy Center in New York City becomes the primary hub of the U.S. toy industry.

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1918

The original Association logo is established.

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1919

Post-war efforts promote American-made toys. “The word 'toys' does not mean 'made in Germany'. ”

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1922

The Tariff Act of 1922 places duties as much as 70% on toys from Japan and Germany.

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1930

The Tarff Act expands duties for all imported toys, to protect and promote domestic manufacturing

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1947

The Association partners with the American Red Cross to provide toys to children in need.

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1948

The American Toy Institute is established to promote the importance of play.

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1949

The first edition of “How to Sell Toys” is published by the Association.

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1950

The Association lobbies Washington to secure sufficient steel & rubber for toy production in light of the Defense Production Act.

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1954

The Association helps to create a float promoting U.S. toys in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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1955

The first importer becomes an Association member as the toy industry becomes more global.

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1956

The Association begins to formulate a code of ethics in manufacturing and advertising.

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1958

Association member Ruth Handler of Mattel establishes regional Association chapters.

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1959

The Association opens up membership to U.S. toy companies that manufacture overseas.

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1960

The International Toy Center reaches its peak activity, with space leased exclusively to toy companies.

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1962

The Association exhibits at the London and Frankfurt Toy Fairs for the first time.

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1966

The Association is renamed the Toy Manufacturers of America and celebrates 50 years!

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1969

The Association helped shape the Toy Safety Act, the first legislation for toy safety, signed by President Nixon.

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1972

The Association & the Consumer Product Safety Commision establish the first comprehensive toy safety standards.

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1975

The International Council of Toy Industries is established.

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1976

The Association welcomes the first toy designers and testing labs as associate members.

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1981

The International Toy Center houses 600 toy companies and related businesses.

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1985

The Association establishes the Toy Industry Hall of Fame and inducts it first members.

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1986

Toy safety standards are adopted under the auspices of ASTM International.

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1987

The Association launches the American International Toy Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

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1989

The Association works with the Fashion Institute of Technology to create a Toy Design curriculum.

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1996

The Association creates a program to educate Chinese manufacturers on U.S. safety standards.

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2000

The American Toy Institute is renamed Toy Industry Foundation.

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2000

Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards are founded to honor the most outstanding toys of the year.

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2001

TMA is renamed the Toy Industry Association to reflect its diversified membership base.

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2003

Toy Industry Foundation introduces a new program, The Toy Bank, which provides toys for children in need.

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2003

ICTI Care Process is established to ensure safe and humane workplaces for toy factory workers worldwide.

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2008

The Association works with legislators to institute toy safety standard ASTM F963

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2011

Retailers become eligible for Association membership.

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2013

The Association & legislators establish Congressional Toy Caucus to open a positive dialogue about industry issues.

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2014

The Canadian Toy Association becomes an affiliate with shared membership.

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2015

The Association launches the Genius of Play program to raise awareness of the benefits of play in child development.

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2016

The Toy Industry Assocation celebrates 100 years!

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2017

We become The Toy Association to reflect broad toy and play community.

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Toy Building

2025

The Toy Association opened the Toy Building in El Segundo's "Toy District" (101 Continental Boulevard).

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