Action figure

An action figure is a small toy.

These toys can move their arms and legs. Most are made of plastic. They can look like heroes from movies or games.

Long ago, people made dolls from wood or clay.

Some people made small soldiers out of metal. These are like the action figures we see today.

In 1964, a company named Hasbro made G.I. Joe. They used the name "action figure" for him. They did this so boys would want to play with him.

Some figures are very small. Others can change shape to look like robots. This helps them turn into something new.

Many people love to play with these toys. Other people like to collect them to show off.

They are fun for all ages.

An action figure is a small model of a character.

These figures can move. Most are made of plastic. They often look like people from movies, games, or books.

Long ago, people made dolls from wood or clay.

Some made small soldiers from metal. In 1964, a company called Hasbro made G.I. Joe. They used the name "action figure" to sell him to boys.

Many types of toys came after. Some figures are small and can change shape. These are called transforming toys. In the 1980s, many toys came from cartoons. Lines like Transformers became very popular.

Today, people use action figures in different ways. Some use them for stop motion animation. This is a way to make movies. Other people collect them.

They keep them in boxes to show off. Some figures are very detailed. They are made to be statues for adults to look at. Collectors often look for rare ones. They may even find special ones at big toy shows.

An action figure is a small, poseable model of a character.

Most of these figures are made of plastic. They often look like characters from movies, comic books, or video games. They can also be based on real people from history or sports. While many children play with them, many adults collect them too. Some collectors buy figures just to display them on a shelf. These adult collectors might treat the figures like statues rather than toys.

Making an action figure is a very careful job. First, a designer makes sketches of the character. Next, a sculptor builds a prototype using clay or wax. They use aluminum wires to make a backbone called an armature. This wire frame helps the figure hold its shape. The sculptor adds clay to the wires to build the body. They use small tools to carve fine details into the clay. Finally, the figure is molded from a hard plastic called ABS.

People have made moving dolls for a very long time. Ancient Greeks and Romans made dolls from clay and wood. In the 1730s, people in Germany made small soldiers out of tin. By the 1890s, makers began using hollow casting to make toys. In 1904, Albert Schoenhut released the Humpty Dumpty Circus. This toy featured wooden figures that could move and interact. These early toys helped lead to the modern action figures we see today.

In 1964, the company Hasbro created a famous figure named G.I. Joe. They used the new name "action figure" to sell him to boys. Before this, similar toys were often called "dolls." In 1974, a Japanese company called Takara made Microman. These were smaller figures that could change shape. In 1984, Hasbro combined two Takara lines to create the Transformers. In 1976, Kenner won the rights to make Star Wars toys. This made small figures with molded clothing the most popular style.

Today, action figures are part of a huge global hobby. Many figures are based on popular cartoons like Thundercats or He-Man. Some companies now make very detailed figures for grown-up fans. These figures might represent musicians, athletes, or movie stars. People even use action figures to make stop motion animation movies. You can find special figures at big comic conventions. Some collectors even look for figures with tiny mistakes in the packaging.

An action figure is a poseable character model figure. Most are made of plastic. They represent characters from films, comic books, or video games. They can also represent historical figures or athletes. These models are often marketed toward boys and adult collectors.

While many children play with them, adults also collect them. Some adults buy figures solely for display. These collectors treat the items as collectibles rather than toys. Action figures are also used in stop motion animation.

The creation of an action figure begins with a design process. First, designers create sketches of the proposed character. Next, a sculptor builds a prototype using clay or wax. To support the model, the sculptor bends aluminum wires. This wire frame is called an armature. It serves as the backbone of the figure. The sculptor adds clay to the armature to create weight and shape.

They use tools like wire loops to carve fine details. Once the prototype is ready, the figure is molded from hard plastic resin. This material is called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS. Softer plastics like nylon may be used for capes or masks. Acrylic paints are then used for decoration.

Action figures have deep roots in history. Articulated dolls, which are figures with moving parts, date back to 200 BCE. Ancient Greeks and Romans made these from clay and wood. In the late 19th century, Western Europe saw the rise of ball-jointed dolls. These used joints made of composition, a mix of pulp, sawdust, and glue. Another precursor is the toy soldier. Ancient Egyptians had military figures in their tombs. By the 1730s, Germany produced tin soldiers by molding metal between slate. By the 1890s, makers used hollow casting.

The modern era began in 1964 with Hasbro. They created G.I. Joe, an 11.5-inch military figure. Hasbro coined the term "action figure" to market him to boys. At the time, competitors called similar items "boy's dolls." G.I. Joe featured changeable clothes and various uniforms. Hasbro licensed the toy to companies in other markets. This helped the toy gain global popularity. In Japan, the company Takara produced figures like Henshin Cyborg-1. This figure used transparent plastic to show internal parts.

The 1970s brought changes to figure sizes and styles. During an oil crisis, Takara struggled with the cost of large figures. They developed a smaller version called Microman in 1974. This line used interchangeable parts. This helped lead to the concept of transforming robot toys. In 1976, Kenner won the license for Star Wars toys. This changed the industry standard. Figures became smaller with molded-on clothing instead of fabric. This allowed companies to sell large teams of characters.

The 1980s and 1990s saw a boom in themed toy lines. Many were based on popular cartoon series. Successful examples include Masters of the Universe and Thundercats. In 1984, Hasbro combined Takara lines to create the Transformers. This brand combined Micro Change and Diaclone toys. As the 1990s progressed, the collector market grew. People began keeping figures in their original packaging. Some lines, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, were produced in such high quantities that they remained inexpensive.

Today, the market is diverse and reaches many different people. Companies like McFarlane Toys create highly detailed figures for adults. These can represent musicians, such as Paul Stanley, or movie characters.

Some figures are made as statuesque display pieces. Others are released exclusively at comic conventions. Collectors sometimes look for specific packaging errors or "short-packed" figures. These items can have much higher value. Action figures now connect many fields, from cinema to fine art sculpting.