Description:
My Little Pony
Inducted 2024
Hasbro based My Little Pony on their earlier My Pretty Pony. At about 11 inches high, My Pretty Pony was made of hard plastic and came in one color—brown with a white blaze. What made it a little bit endearing was the trigger beneath its chin that twitched its ears, winked its eyes, and swished its tail.
In 1983, Hasbro trotted out My Little Pony, six little pastel horse figures, each made of a soft vinyl with a silky mane and unique rump mark (symbols like stars, dots, and flowers) that reflected its name. The first characters of the line—Cotton Candy, Butterscotch, Blossom, Blue Belle, Minty, and Snuzzle—and the ponies that followed, had rounded bodies and anthropomorphized faces that made them irresistible. More varieties including Pegasus Ponies, Unicorns, and Sea Ponies followed. Stables, houses, carriages, and castles supported pony play. A feature-length movie, television cartoons, and numerous storybooks promoted the brand. My Little Pony became the most popular of the mini doll lines between 1983 and 1992.
By the time Hasbro discontinued the My Little Pony line in the United States in 1992, the brand had sold more than $1 billion worth of toys, clothing, home decorations, and other consumer goods. Many felt it was time for Hasbro to get off their high horse, as My Little Pony licensing deals seemed to run wild, but its popularity never truly died. Hasbro re-launched My Little Pony in the U.S. in 2010 and again in 2021, and it continues to introduce new products today.
My Little Pony invites children in the age-old play of hair grooming, brushing, and braiding. The ponies encourage fantasy, narrative, and storytelling. The variety of figures promotes collecting as a pastime. And, at the heart of it all, the ponies acknowledge many children’s fascination with horses. The continued popularity of the line proves that this brand—pardon the pun—has legs.
They couldn't have picked a better centerpiece pony to bring the generations together. Go Sunny!
