The G.I. Joe father and Hasbro executive Donald Levine dies at 86 years old. He developed the first action figure in the world.
Levine died of cancer at Home and Hospice Care from Rhode Island on Thursday, May 22. Levine served in the Army during the Korean War where he thought of moveable action figures to honor veterans. Levine and his wife, Nan, were married for almost 60 years. He is survived by his wife, three children and four grandchildren. His funeral on May 25 was at Temple Beth-El, Providence.
Levine was Hasbro's research and development head when he developed the toy's design. His team created a 12-inch action figure which can articulate in 21 moving points. The figures wore helmets and military uniforms with guns that appeal to young boys. The company had employees who were military veterans and the uniforms were that of the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines. There were also different kinds of vehicles. The action figure was put on sale in December of 1964 and after 50 years, G.I. Joe figures are still on sale and have produced action movies, comic books, cartoons, videogames and more. There is even a G.I. Joe Collector's Club which holds an annual convention called GIJoeCon held every April in Dallas, Texas.
"Don Levine and his team took it from a good concept to a great concept," Hasbro's former CEO Alan Hassenfeld said. Hassenfeld's father, Merrill managed G.I. Joe's development while his son oversaw the company. Hassenfeld said Levine has a profound influence on the toy industry, having developed the concept of action figures. "His work forever changed the way kids play with toys, and in particular helped birth the G.I. Joe brand which has been a part of the American fabric for 50 years."
G.I. Joe was one of the most popular toys until the late 1960's when parents avoided military toys because of the intensifying opposition to Vietnam. Hasbro introduced the "Adventure Team" G.I. Joe that shied away from the military. The action figures sported lifelike hair with new scuba gear and explorer outfits to save the seas and discover mummies.
