History's Best Selling Toys of 1932

Extra! Extra! Step right up to inspect the definitive collection of first-rate toys releases from 1932. Discover the genuine articles of American ingenuity that captured the public's fancy and won nationwide acclaim during this historic era.

1. Sock Monkey

   Released in 1932 by Nelson Knitting Company

   On April 12, 1932, the Nelson Knitting Company of Rockford, Illinois, filed a patent for a sock design that would inadvertently create a folk-art legend. This patent was for their iconic 'Rockford Red Heel' sock, a feature originally intended to show customers they were buying an authentic Nelson product. This distinctive red heel became the essential component for crafting the sock monkey's signature wide mouth. While the toy itself evolved organically, this specific date marks the legal and commercial birth of its most critical piece. The patent protected the very element that gave the future toy its character, cementing the foundation for a craft that would bring comfort and joy to millions, especially during the lean years of the Great Depression.