THE INVENTOR of the iconic 1990s Polly Pocket toy has died aged 74 after a battle with a rare form of brain cancer.
Chris Wiggs first created a miniature portable house and doll in 1983 for his own daughter, using a make-up box.
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Chris Wiggs, the inventor of Polly Pocket, has died at the age of 74
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The toys were first released in the 1980s and took off in the 90sCredit: Getty
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One of the iconic Polly Pocket toys
Chris died peacefully at his home in France on June 20, surrounded by his loved ones, the New York Post writes.
He was suffering from a form of neurological cancer before he died.
Chris is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Kate, son Ben and five grandchildren.
Chris first created a mini world for his daughter Kate from his basement workshop in 1983.
She once said: “I’m trying to remember the first moment he handed over the compact and I think it would have been very ordinary. ‘Oh, I made this. Here you go.’
“Because he was always making things, it was the most natural thing in the world.”
Swindon toy company Bluebird Toys picked up the Polly Pocket design in 1989 and it became a hugely popular toy for children over the next decade.
By 1994, around three-quarters of all girls in Britain were believed to have it.
The company has sold more than £100m worth of the tiny product.
They ceased production to the heartbreak of many in 1998 when Mattel acquired Bluebird Toys.
The price of his Polly Pocket dolls was around £10 when they were originally released, and has risen over the years as their popularity has grown.
Toy giant and Barbie maker Mattel redesigned the dolls in the 1990s, making them several inches taller.
Children could then dress their dolls in clothes and accessories.
I bought a girl’s accessory for $6 while saving up, it sells for $1000 on eBay – I knew I had a hit when I saw the logo (polly pockets)
Unopened editions of the toys are now being sold on eBay at commanding prices – with one version from 2002 listed for more than £1,000.
Mattel relaunched the toys in 2018 with mini and full size options on sale.
The dolls could even serve as inspiration for a movie like Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Barbie last year.
Lena Dunham should direct the film with Lily Collins in the role of Polly, writes the New York Post.
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Chris Wiggs, inventor of Polly Pocket with his daughter Kate
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education