E is for Etch-a-Sketch

Full series and process: 90s TOYpography
Website: noahcampdesign.com
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E is for Etch-a-Sketch

It’s time to put down your gel pens and pick up your Etch a Sketch. The Etch a Sketch came from France in 1960 and was originally marketed as the “Télécran", but was later called the “L’Ecran Magique,” or Magic Screen. It was eventually renamed the Etch A Sketch by the Ohio Art Company. It originally had a joystick but evolved to 2 knobs over time.

The Etch a Sketch was rejected by Ohio Art and many toy companies at first. Now it has been sold over 100 million times, and has been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, along with silly putty and the slinky. Those other toy companies are probably kicking themselves.

I loved my Etch a Sketch. The limitations it put on me were a fun challenge. Not much has changed. Limitations still produce real creativity.