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Ada Lee Smith with her Christmas presents, Fayetteville, December 25, 1931. |
Prior to the Industrial Revolution of the mid 1800s, most children had just a toy or two. But with the advent of mechanization, the growth of the middle class, the emerging concept of leisure time, and the mass-marketing of toys at Christmas time, playthings took on greater importance and children had more of them. Toys became even more plentiful following World
War II as consumerism grew and the baby boom emphasized youth culture.
Today’s parents
may stand in line for days—and occasionally get into brawls—so
that their child can find the latest toy under the tree on Christmas
morning. |
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