Who are toys for?

Toys have catered to various demographics, primarily children, aiming to fulfill their developmental, entertainment, and educational needs. Past peoples crafted toys for their youth; some of the earliest archaeological evidence of toys comes from ancient Mesopotamia c. 2600 B.C.E. With the Industrial Revolution, hand-made toys were replaced by mass-produced toys for children of the growing middle classes. Toys reflect the societal norms and cultural values of their time. For example, toys like the dolls, the teapot and cup, and the Dick Tracy gun in the MARTA collection reflect, reinforce, and enculturate children in gender stereotypes. Innovations in the toy industry today, including the development of toys catering to diverse identities, are keeping pace with changes in modern society and will provide future archaeologists with insight into our world.