Transformers Finalist for Toy Hall of Fame

Transformers, the brand as a whole, is one of 12 finalists to join The National Toy Hall of Fame in 2011. The Toy Hall of Fame announced the 12 finalists yesterday, 7 of which are Hasbro properties. The competition is stiff for Transformers as the others finalists include Dollhouse, Dungeons & Dragons, Hot Wheels, Jenga, Pogo Stick, Puppet, R/C Vehicles, Rubik's Cube, Simon, Star Wars action figures, and Twister.

As you may have noticed some of the inductees are not a trademarked brand but more of the toy concept like previous inductees the kite, jump rope or checkers. The winner will be based on icon-status, longevity, encouraging learning & creativity, and innovation. Something Transformers has in spades. One November 10th, the two winners will be announced. You can find the full list of previous winners here. Below is the full press release.

National Toy Hall of Fame®
12 Toy Finalists Announced
2011 Inductees to Be Revealed November 10
ROCHESTER, New York—Which toys will make it into the hallowed halls of the National Toy Hall of Fame this November? Will Hot Wheels race across the finish line? Can Rubik’s Cube crack the winning formula? Or, will “the Force” be with Star Wars Action Figures?

The National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong® in Rochester, New York, today announced the 12 final nominees for induction into the hall: Dollhouse, Dungeons & Dragons, Hot Wheels, Jenga, Pogo Stick, Puppet, R/C Vehicles, Rubik’s Cube, Simon, Star Wars Action Figures, Transformers, and Twister. Only two of these 12 finalists will make it into the prestigious hall, joining such toy luminaries as Barbie, Mr. Potato Head, and The Game of Life.

The National Toy Hall of Fame receives thousands of nominations via mail and email annually. The final 2011 toy inductees, chosen by a national selection committee, will be announced at the National Toy Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m. and a major weekend public celebration will follow at The Strong’s National Museum of Play® on Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13.

The National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong recognizes toys that have engaged and delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and discover through play. Criteria for induction include: Icon-status (the toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered); Longevity (the toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations); Discovery (the toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play); and Innovation (the toy profoundly changed play or toy design).

To date, the following 46 toys have made it into the National Toy Hall of Fame: Alphabet Blocks, Atari 2600 Game System, , Baby Doll, Ball, Barbie, Bicycle, Big Wheel, Candy Land, Cardboard Box, Checkers, Crayola Crayons, Duncan Yo-Yo, Easy-Bake Oven, Erector Set, Etch A Sketch, Frisbee, The Game of Life, G.I. Joe, Hula Hoop, Jack-in-the-Box, Jacks, Jigsaw Puzzle, Jump Rope, Kite, Lego, Lincoln Logs, Lionel Trains, Marbles, Monopoly, Mr. Potato Head, Nintendo Game Boy, Play-Doh, Playing Cards, Radio Flyer Wagon, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Rocking Horse, Roller Skates, Scrabble, Silly Putty, Skateboard, Slinky, Stick, Teddy Bear, Tinkertoy, Tonka Trucks, and View-Master.

Anyone can nominate a toy for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. An internal museum advisory committee comprised of curators, educators, and historians reviews the submitted nominations and determines which toys meet the criteria for selection. A national selection committee then reviews the list of toy finalists. Each national selection committee member votes for his or her top toy picks for induction. The votes are then tallied, with the toys receiving the most votes making the cut for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

New this year, the National Toy Hall of Fame invites you to enter the I Love This Toy Contest and tell a story about playing with any of the 12 toy finalists. Winning contestants will receive an Amazon.com gift certificate for $150 to $250. Contest ends October 14. For contest details and additional information on the hall, visit http://aap.museumofplay.org.