With due credit to Vincent Santelmo, the author of the
Complete Encyclopedia to GI Joe....I thought I would briefly
give the background history of the Hasbro company and the
GI Joe action figure. It's a pretty cool reference book, and although
I don't know him, he seems to know a lot about GI Joe....tip of the hat to
you, sir.
Hasbro Inc. started out as Hassenfeld Brothers in 1923. It
was started up by two brothers in Providence, Rhode Island. They sold
various other products early on, and they didn't get started in the
toy business until post WWII. By then, one of the brothers, Hillel, had
left control of the business to the other brother, Henry. Henry's sons
joined the family business as well.
They had some popular toys
produced prior to GI Joe. Familiar items such as Mr. Potato-Head and
Sno-Cones were hot items thoroughout the United States.
By the 1960's, things were going great for Hasbro. They were expanding
to Canada, and sales were doing very well. Henry's grandsons had also
joined on in the family business.
In 1962, a new show called The Lieutenant
starring Gary Lockwood inspired Hasbro's creative director with the idea
of a movable action figure soldier for boys...good idea. The Lieutenant
was not joined up with GI Joe in the long run since it was more of an
adult show...but the inspiration nonetheless.
Through a lot of hard work
and remarkable innovation, the GI Joe fighting man debuted in 1964. The
people at Hasbro went to great lengths to ensure that his uniforms were
as close to authentic as possible...just scaled down to fit the 11 1/2 inch
body of the action figure. From the 21 movable parts to the battle scar on
his cheek, GI Joe could be configured to resemble the active duty soldier,
sailor, marine, or pilot. Each Joe came wearing a military uniform with a hat,
dog tag, and boots. He even had patches and chevrons for added realism.
To the delight of Hasbro, the introduction of GI Joe to the public was a smashing
success. They continued on to add accessories and uniforms...keeping interest
alive since there was always something new you HAD to have. The first black action
soldier was brought out in 1965. The first talking GI Joe debuted in 1967...then
the Adventurer in 1969. GI Joe with the lifelike hair and beard were brought out
in 1970. Always staying on top of the market and supplying kids with new items
and varieties to GI Joe brought Hasbro great success. They took a small idea
of an action figure for boys....and ran with it. Anything is possible, and they
made it happen...pretty neat.
GI Joe body markings...identification..
1. No markings: These are
sample figures. They were prior to 1964 with
brass rivets and have no manufactuer's mark.
2. HASBRO 1964 U.S.A. (R):
These figures are salesmen samples. They have brass
rivets and markings are on the right shoulder blade.
Produced prior to 1964 so salesmen could display
the figure to potential toy buyers and distributors.
3. GI Joe T.M.
Copyright 1964
by Hasbro (R)
Patent Pending
Made in U.S.A.
This is the GI Joe first produced in 1964 and 1965 for the
public. The patent was still pending so it is trademarked
and not yet registered. These markings are found on the right
buttocks of the figure.
These are the early
markings on the figures. Later markings from 1967 to 1975 show
the patent number. Only in 1966 is it different because the patent
was still pending, but those figures are NOT marked "GI JOE T.M."
because the trademark had been registered.
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GI Joe T.M.