From Mary Bellis,
Your Guide to Inventors.
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George Lerner of New York City invented and patented Mr. Potato Head in 1952. Based on an earlier toy called “make a face” that used a real potato, Lerner designed his all-plastic toy as a prize for cereal premiums. Lerner sold Mr. Potato Head to the Hassenfeld Brothers of Rhode Island, who owned Hasbro Inc., the toy company. Hasbro sold the first Mr. Potato Head with a styrofoam head as a base for the facial plug-ins. However, instructions were included that suggested the use of vegetables and fruits instead of the styrofoam.

Mr. Potato Head was the first toy to be advertised on television. In 1985, he received four write-in votes in the mayoral election in Boise, Idaho. Today, Hasbro, Inc. still manufactures Mr. Potato Head.

In 1966, Mr Potato Head acquired a new addition with Jumping Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.

Related Spellings: Mr. Potatohead