Book Talk – Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America

Join us for a conversation with author Michael Kimmel, SUNY distinguished professor emeritus of sociology, and moderator Henry Sapoznik.

 

Michael Kimmel reveals the illuminating story behind the creation of the American toy industry in his new book, PLAYMAKERS: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created The Toy Industry In America. This fascinating and entertaining new book uncovers how a group of first-generation Jewish American immigrants and their families – including the creators of Hasbro, Mattel, Lionel Trains, Superman, Batman, Eloise, the editors of Parents’ Magazine and developmental psychologists – helped transform the concept of American childhood in the 20th century. Based on extensive research, Kimmel’s newest work explores how these inventors created a vision of American childhood that they never experienced themselves. From the Teddy Bear and Mr. Potato Head to the rise of Barbie and G.I. Joe, PLAYMAKERS uncovers the fascinating cultural and historical forces that shaped the toys, games, and entertainment that defined a generation.

 

Michael Kimmel is the great–grandnephew of the founder of the Ideal Toy Corporation, Michael Kimmel is a SUNY distinguished professor emeritus of sociology and gender studies and founder of the Center for the Study of Men and Masculinities at Stony Brook University. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

 

Henry H. Sapoznik is the Peabody Award–winning co-producer of the 2002 NPR series The Yiddish Radio Project, a five-time Grammy-nominated producer/performer of over fifty recordings, and author of the award-winning book Klezmer! Jewish Music from Old World to Our World and recently published The Tourist’s Guide to Lost Yiddish New York City.

 

Tickets:

Admission + Book: $33

General Admission: $10

Student: $5