Short answers, pulled from the story.
The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998 under the direction of Ed Sobey. It was originally housed at A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village in Salem, Oregon, and moved to the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, in 2002.
There are four criteria: icon status (the toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered); longevity (more than a passing fad); discovery (fosters learning, creativity, or discovery); and innovation (profoundly changed play or toy design).
The original inductees were announced in November 1999 and included Barbie, Crayola crayon, Erector Set, Etch A Sketch, Frisbee, Hula hoop, Lego, Lincoln Logs, Marbles, Monopoly, Play-Doh, Radio Flyer wagon, Roller skates, Teddy bear, Tinkertoy, View-Master, and the Duncan Yo-Yo.
The cardboard box was inducted in 2005 without nomination. Christopher Bensch, chief curator at the Strong Museum, described it as a great play experience that you do not have to spend a lot to offer, calling it an empty box full of possibilities.
As of 2025-91 toys have been enshrined in the National Toy Hall of Fame. The most recent class, inducted on the 6th of November 2025, added Battleship, Trivial Pursuit, and Slime.
For the 2023 induction cycle, the Strong highlighted several frequent past finalists in a public-driven Forgotten Five vote. The five nominees were My Little Pony dolls, PEZ candy dispensers, pogo sticks, Transformers action figures, and the Fisher-Price Corn Popper. The Corn Popper won the public vote and was inducted in 2023; Transformers and My Little Pony were both inducted in 2024.