In the early 1960s, boys had teensy weensy tin or plastic soldiers to play around with. Girls had Barbie, a series of poseable dolls that can also be dressed up. Then, in 1964, Hasbro came up with G.I. Joe, military style toys but they didn't call them dolls, they called them action figures. Even better, they were very poseable!!! And... each figure stands at 12" tall and they were well detailed. It was a big hit and a new toy legend is born. Years later, Hasbro reinvented G.I. Joe with the release of the A Real American Hero toyline in 1982.