Stuff You Should Know Selects: How Easy Bake Ovens Work
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Feb 4, 2023 Explore the iconic Easy Bake Oven, a toy that revolutionized childhood cooking with its light bulb heating system. Discover its roots, the engineering marvels behind its design, and the cultural impact it had on gender roles. Hear about its tumultuous history, safety controversies, and marketing evolution, including efforts to attract boys. Dive into nostalgic reflections and amusing anecdotes that showcase the beloved legacy of this unique kitchen gadget, which continues to spark creativity in young cooks.
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Kenner Neighbor
- Chuck Bryant's new neighbor, Rick, was a toy designer for Kenner.
- He worked on toys related to Tim Burton's Batman movies and continued his career even after Kenner was sold.
Kenner's Toys
- Kenner's first toy was the Bubblematic gun, which shot bubbles.
- 20 years later, they introduced the Easy-Bake Oven, a toy that mimicked adult activities.
Light Bulb Safety
- The Easy-Bake Oven's success stemmed from using a light bulb as a heating element, which seemed safer to parents than previous toy ovens.
- This idea, proposed by Norman Shapiro and developed by Ronald Howes, was key to the toy's popularity.