The original Mr. Potato Head did not involve a potato or head. The toy was invented by George Lerner in the late 1940s, but because the United States had just come out of World War II and it seemed wasteful to use produce as a food, he couldn’t find a buyer. But he did find a cereal manufacturer who would “distribute his plastic parts as prizes” in their boxes. That proved popular enough that in 1952, the Rhode Island-based Hassenfeld Brothers bought the rights to Mr. Potato Head — now in potato and head form — for $5,000, along with a $500 advance and five percent royalties on every toy sold. Hassenfeld Brothers was later re-named Hasbro, and Mr. Potato Head helped turn the company into a multi-billion dollar American success story. Decades later, the same people who value profits over people are now super angry about Mr. Potato Head.
Why? Because the spud has a new brand name.
“Hold that Tot – your main spud, MR. POTATO HEAD isn’t going anywhere! While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand name & logo are dropping the ‘MR.’ I yam proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD aren’t going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD,” Hasbro tweeted, giving the toy a gender neutral “modern makeover… Toy makers have been updating their classic brands to appeal to kids today. Barbie has shed its blonde image and now comes in multiple skin tones and body shapes. Thomas the Tank Engine added more girl characters. And American Girl is now selling a boy doll.” Hasbro’s decision came after noticing “how toddlers frequently play with the toy,” according to Fast Company. That’s why, when a line of potato head is introduced in the fall, “kids will have a blank slate to create same-sex families or single-parent families. It’s a prime example of the way heritage toy brands are evolving to stay relevant in the 21st century.” I can’t possibly imagine being furious over a potato toy becoming more inclusive, but I am also not Ben Shapiro (thank god), or any of the other conservatives who are currently losing their minds over Potato Head.
gender neutral potato head pissed of mark dice so much he wants to leave america pic.twitter.com/zgj32yFzOA
— Right Wing Cope (@RightWingCope) February 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/MarkDice/status/1364991791255097344
STOP IT https://t.co/2JSkWwK8Ul
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 25, 2021
Mr. Potato Head is no longer a man. He’s now gender neutral to avoid offending people. Really. https://t.co/J3Q7eQiP28
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 25, 2021
Mr. Potato Head has now been made gender neutral and will be called “Potato Head” from here on out.
Will we be digitally editing James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s World” next to say “It’s A Gender Neutral World”?
— Christine Bish (@BishForCongress) February 25, 2021
Imagine thinking in the middle of a global pandemic: 'What's really important is dropping the 'Mr' from Mr Potato Head & making him gender-neutral in case we upset a few wokies.'
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 25, 2021
Ben Shapiro is throwing a fit because Mr. Potato Head is now a gender neutral children's toy. What an extremely sad loser. pic.twitter.com/Ov5cW6JFDs
— Nathan Bernard (@nathanTbernard) February 25, 2021
Gender neutral Potato Head is going to be conservatives’ Ft. Sumter pic.twitter.com/fpQ4VR6JVe
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) February 25, 2021
This seems specifically targeted at baiting Ben Shapiro types and I for one think that’s both smart and beautiful https://t.co/1oAsGVDmSg
— Ej Dickson (@ejdickson) February 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/TheHemingwayUSA/status/1365009323877949442
The world has lost its ever loving mind! Another company that won't be receiving ANY money from me🤢🤢🤮🤮 https://t.co/JdfiwJTeMK
— 11pagan11 (@11pagan11) February 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/JJHunt10/status/1364996042756882445
Fox News executives are pumped. This Potato Head story gives them six months of content. https://t.co/9JHopBj2su
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 25, 2021
It’s only a matter of time before Donald Trump, Jr. weighs in…
UPDATE: he did.
There’s nothing that won’t be canceled to satisfy the woke mob. https://t.co/2YmwvSBUZt
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 25, 2021
(Via Fast Company)