Beloved toy from 1955 that debuted for just $1 is now 2000% more expensive thanks to ‘toyflation’

The price tag may cause sticker shock, even though your favorite childhood toys may still be on store shelves now.

Even while many classic toys from previous decades are still available, the high prices of some cherished products may deter consumers this Christmas season due to inflation-driven cost increases.

When Silly Putty, a stretchable substance, originally came out in 1955, it only cost $1 for an ounce jar.

The blobs are now available to consumers for $21.24, a 2000% price increase.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index inflation calculator, the price now, adjusted for inflation, would be $11.73, or $9 more than it was originally purchased for.

That’s not the only classic toy impacted by “toyflation,” according to ABC station WMTW.

MOVIE-THEMED TOYS

Following the release of the first film in 1977, Star Wars action toys became popular.

The average retail price of the toys at the time was $2.28 each, or $10.68 in today’s adjusted currency.

On Amazon, the single products now cost around $16 each, while three-piece sets cost around $30.

In 1984, Transformers toys cost between $3 and $5, or roughly $12 in today’s currency.

The toys now retail for around $25 apiece on Amazon.

SILLYBANDZ

Toyflation has even affected the more contemporary toy Sillybandz, which was first introduced in 2009.

At the height of their popularity, when children would gather various shaped rubber bands and exchange them on playgrounds, the 12-pack cost $2.50, or roughly $3.65 in today’s currency.

The current price of a six-pack of Sillybandz is $3.95.

Transformers and Sillybandz have become more expensive due to toyflation, whereas other toys have become more affordable over time.

RUBIK’S CUBE

Erno Rubik, a Hungarian puzzler, created the infamously perplexing Rubik’s Cube in 1974, and it quickly gained widespread appeal among both children and adults.

In 1980, the puzzle cost $7.49, which is equivalent to $27.65 today.

But on Amazon, customers can purchase it for $9.36.

LITE-BRITE

In 1966, the Lite-Brite was released, enabling children to use light-up pegs to make bright artwork.

Hasbro promoted the well-liked toy as a “magic light box” and it sold for $7.98 in 1967, which is a staggering $74.53 today.

Customers may get a Lite-Brite kit on Amazon for $15.49.

POTATO HEAD

A actual potato served as the head of Mr. Potato Head’s plastic body pieces when it made its debut in 1952.

Toy manufacturers switched to plastic in 1964 in response to consumer complaints about their children’s toys deteriorating.

Due to its inclusion in the Toy Story films, which were first released in 1995 and starred Tom Hanks, the iconic toy has remained popular over the years.

When the item first came out in 1952, it cost less than a dollar and included the real spud. The adjusted price now would be almost $11.59.

Potato Head, which changed its name and removed the “Mr.” in 2021, is currently available on Amazon for $7.99 per.

The cost of the entire family set is $19.99.

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