Exhibit Closing: G.I. Joe: America’s First Action Figure at the KPM

For centuries, children have collected and played with toy soldiers. Early examples of soldiers made from stone, clay, or metal can be traced back to the time of ancient Egypt. From the beginning, G.I. Joe action figures allowed children to explore all kinds of heroic and daring adventures. Kids could create their own scenarios using their imagination rather than being told how to play as in scripted video games. This kind of creative and imaginative play has been important for every generation, and for the past sixty years the G.I. Joe action figure has been leading the charge.