Fool Quiz
Foolish Gift Guide
December 10, 1997

1. According to the slogan, what was "Oh what a wonderful toy?"

1. A Wheel-O
2. A Slinky
3. An Etch-a-Sketch
4. A Barbie Doll
5. Rock 'em, Sock 'em robot

Clue 1: Wheel on outta here
Clue 2: Not the Barbi twins
Clue 3: Find the cuffslink

Answer: A Slinky. The Slinky was created by a metal tooling accident. It originally WAS a spring.

2. Which company sponsored Disney's Mickey Mouse Club in 1955?

1. LEGO
2. Hasbro
3. Spalding
4. Mattel
5. Huffy

Clue 1: Storm off in a huff
Clue 2: Don't pull my Leg
Clue 3: Welcome Mat

Answer: Mattel. A first in toy marketing, it gave the corporation direct access to millions of kiddie customers.

3. This company began by making toy furniture out of a garage in California in 1945:

1. Brown Jordan
2. Walpole Woodworks
3. Mattel
4. Lincoln Logs
5. Roller Blade

Clue 1: Off the Wal
Clue 2: Not on a roll
Clue 3: Use a matte finish

Answer: Mattel. Harold Matson soon sold his share of biz to partner Elliot Handler and wife.

4. What became the most successful brand-name toy ever sold?

1. G.I. Joe
2. Barbie
3. Tickle Me, Elmo
4. Raggedy Ann
5. Etch A Sketch

Clue 1: Scratch the Etch
Clue 2: St. Elmo's fired
Clue 3: Step up to the bar

Answer: Barbie. Barbie launched in 1959, Mattel went public in '60 and sales grew from $25 to $75 million in two years.

5. Mattel owners Ruth and Elliot Handler named Barbie and Ken after their...

1. Son and Daughter
2. Pet Beagles
3. Faithful Cocker Spaniels
4. Matching French Poodles
5. Overweight Yellow Labs

Clue 1: Fight fLabs
Clue 2: Don't be Faithful
Clue 3: The Son also rises

Answer: Son and daughter. In 1974, the Handlers were booted from management when the SEC checked reported profits of the company.

6. Ringling Bros-Barnum and Bailey Circus was once owned by:

1. McDonald's
2. Disney
3. Berkshire-Hathaway
4. Mattel
5. Hershey's

Clue 1: It's not hers
Clue 2: Hell Hath no fury
Clue 3: Kiss and 'tel

Answer: Mattel. Mattel sold off all its non-toy assets by 1983.

7. In 1996, Mattel made a failed bid of $5.2 billion for this company:

1. Tyco Toys
2. Hasbro
3. Aviva Sport
4. Auritel
5. International Games

Clue 1: Don't play games
Clue 2: Not 'viva Las Vegas
Clue 3: It Has some clout

Answer: Hasbro. Mattel dropped its hostile takeover as too costly, but does own Tyco, Aviva, Auritel.

8. What can you NOT buy from the Avon lady?

1. Cabbage Patch dolls
2. Hot Wheels
3. Skin So Soft
4. Barbie dolls
5. Nintendo

Clue 1: Don't be a skinflint
Clue 2: Don't pop a wheelie
Clue 3: Tendo is the night

Answer: Nintendo. In 1997, Mattel & Avon partnered to sell toy products door-to-door.

9. Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 and this product was also launched there:

1. Jello shots
2. Marlboros
3. Trump Great Wall Casino
4. Pope lawn sprinklers
5. Barbie dolls

Clue 1: Mute that trumpet
Clue 2: Don't drink that shot
Clue 3: More shrimp on the barbi

Answer: Barbie dolls. Mattel feels that kids everywhere like the same toys -- 1/3 of revenues are from outside U.S.

10. In 1968, which company became the world's largest toy company?

1. Mattel
2. Parker Brothers
3. Disney
4. Kenner Products
5. General Mills

Clue 1: Doesn't Matt-er
Clue 2: No Parking
Clue 3: Mill-s About!

Answer: General Mills. Later spun off, Parker and Kenner were at that time acquired by General Mills.

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