By Matthew Roscoe • Published: 26 Feb 2021 • 0:28
CREDIT: Twitter
Mr Potato Head Is Set To Become Gender Neutral.
AFTER 70 YEARS, Hasbro’s Mr Potato Head is set for a 21st-century makeover as the toy company looks to break away from “gender norms” and will now simply be known as Potato Head.
Kimberly Boyd, a GM at Hasbro, said: “Culture has evolved. Kids want to be able to represent their own experiences.
“The way the brand currently exists – with the ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ – is limiting when it comes to both gender identity and family structure.”
The classic toy has been around 1952 and has gained more popularity since being featured as a regular character in the Toy Story film franchise. In 1953, Mrs Potato Head was also launched with feminised accessories, such as hair bows and red high heels.
However, the company is launching a modern ‘gender neutral’ rebrand that looks set to include Potato Head boxed sets that don’t present a “traditional” family structure.
These will come with two non-gendered “adult” potatoes, one “baby” potato and 42 accessories, according to Bloomberg, with the Fast Company reporting that the company wants a clean break from the original look and feel of the product in order to stop leaning on the stereotypes of the past.
Reacting to the news, some people shared their thoughts on Twitter with one person explaining how the toy used to be back in the 1950s: “The original 1950s Mr Potato Head had appendages with sharp steel spikes, and you stabbed them into actual f’ing potato or banana or whatever, in whatever messed-up array you wanted, and then you would skin and eat it afterwards. We were a harder people then.”
The original 1950s Mr Potato Head had appendages with sharp steel spikes, and you stabbed them into actual f'ing potato or banana or whatever, in whatever messed-up array you wanted, and then you would skin and eat it afterwards. We were a harder people then pic.twitter.com/eg18pozecE — David Burge (@iowahawkblog) February 25, 2021
The original 1950s Mr Potato Head had appendages with sharp steel spikes, and you stabbed them into actual f'ing potato or banana or whatever, in whatever messed-up array you wanted, and then you would skin and eat it afterwards. We were a harder people then pic.twitter.com/eg18pozecE
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) February 25, 2021
Twitter famous parody account, Titania McGrath, wrote:”‘Mr Potato Head’ was a reactionary throwback to a time before we dismantled the gender binary.
“His very existence radicalised children into believing that only heterosexual and cisgender potatoes could have fulfilling lives.
“THIS is what progress looks like.”
“Mr Potato Head” was a reactionary throwback to a time before we dismantled the gender binary. His very existence radicalised children into believing that only heterosexual and cisgender potatoes could have fulfilling lives. THIS is what progress looks like. ✊🥔🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/26zMQG7HMz — Titania McGrath (@TitaniaMcGrath) February 25, 2021
“Mr Potato Head” was a reactionary throwback to a time before we dismantled the gender binary.
His very existence radicalised children into believing that only heterosexual and cisgender potatoes could have fulfilling lives.
THIS is what progress looks like. ✊🥔🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/26zMQG7HMz
— Titania McGrath (@TitaniaMcGrath) February 25, 2021
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Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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