Kenner Toys was founded in Cincinnati by the Steiner brothers in 1947. The company went on to be a powerhouse in the toy industry, with such hits as The Easy Bake Oven, Spirograph, Stretch Armstrong, M.A.S.K, and, of course, the Star Wars collection. The Main Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is currently celebrating Kenner and other local toy companies with several exhibits and an upcoming symposium.
Joining us to discuss the history of Kenner and the impact the company had on the toy industry are former Kenner Executive and former Hasbro President, Ginger Kent; son of Kenner co-founder Philip Steiner and former Kenner manager, Corky Steiner; senior Kenner designer and the primary designer of the Star Wars toy line, Jim Swearingen; and Kenner memorabilia collector and curator for the “Just in Time for the Holidays: Kenner Toys” exhibit, Josh Blake.
The Kenner Toy Symposium, including a panel discussion and premiere of the documentary “Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys” takes place at the Main Branch of the Public Library on Saturday December 12. The “Just in Time for the Holidays: Kenner Toys,” “Beloved Toys” and “Brought to You by Maker Toys” exhibits will be on display at the Main Library until January 16, 2016. For more information click here.
Kenner fans may want to check out The Know Theatre’s current production, “All Childish Things,” about a group of down-and-out characters and their plan to raid a Kenner secret warehouse full of Star Wars collectibles. For more information about the play, click here.