The action figure (G.I. Joe)

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Who

Don Levine, head of research and development at Hasbro

When

1964

Where

Rhode Island, United States

Boys were not supposed to play with dolls, so Don Levine's twelve-inch articulated soldier was called an action figure — a phrase invented to sell it, and now the name of an entire category of toy. G.I. Joe launched in 1964.

Sources

Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.