These Terrifying Toys Will Not Be Destroyed
Katie Cordrey — January 20, 2009 — Life-Stages
References: themilandollfactory & pheistyblog
To my morbid delight, I discovered Pheisty Blog and the tale of the doll that would not be destroyed. Part family memoir, part roaming gnome, this saga of the 3-faced doll is worth the read. This type of doll simply will not go away!
Someone is making an interpretive version and selling it on eCrater. It doesn’t hold the same evil power as some of the older models, but those with sinister intentions need not worry: The Milan Doll Factory sells reproduction heads to make authentic copies.
Toys designed with a clear contempt for children have long been part of growing up. Many of them, I’m convinced, came from the same minds that claimed, ‘children love clowns,’ as an excuse to invent an entire legion of creatures intended to inflict permanent emotional damage.
My grandmother tried to foist a-3-faced doll upon me when I was a child. It was an old doll with crazing on the faces. It had a knob sticking out of the top of its bonnet used to turn the head in order to display a different expression. I hated it. It was just too weird and schizoid. I used to wrap it in a blanket and bury it under all the other toys when I visited Grandma. I always managed to “forget” to take the macabre thing home.
My primary fear about the 3-faced doll is that the Chinese will duplicate one of the designs and we’ll see a full-on 3-faced doll resurgence. Or maybe the concept will be updated--instead of a baby doll, it will be a face-a-decade (or so,) Madonna doll in Barbie workout garb.
Someone is making an interpretive version and selling it on eCrater. It doesn’t hold the same evil power as some of the older models, but those with sinister intentions need not worry: The Milan Doll Factory sells reproduction heads to make authentic copies.
Toys designed with a clear contempt for children have long been part of growing up. Many of them, I’m convinced, came from the same minds that claimed, ‘children love clowns,’ as an excuse to invent an entire legion of creatures intended to inflict permanent emotional damage.
My grandmother tried to foist a-3-faced doll upon me when I was a child. It was an old doll with crazing on the faces. It had a knob sticking out of the top of its bonnet used to turn the head in order to display a different expression. I hated it. It was just too weird and schizoid. I used to wrap it in a blanket and bury it under all the other toys when I visited Grandma. I always managed to “forget” to take the macabre thing home.
My primary fear about the 3-faced doll is that the Chinese will duplicate one of the designs and we’ll see a full-on 3-faced doll resurgence. Or maybe the concept will be updated--instead of a baby doll, it will be a face-a-decade (or so,) Madonna doll in Barbie workout garb.
Trend Themes
1. Interpretive Dolls - Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Creating modern and unique interpretations of dolls with multiple faces, targeting collectors and enthusiasts.
2. Reproduction Doll Heads - Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Developing high-quality replica doll heads for customers to create authentic copies of vintage dolls.
3. Emotionally Impactful Toys - Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Designing and manufacturing toys that aim to evoke strong emotional responses in children, providing a unique play experience.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Introducing novel materials, technologies, and designs in the manufacturing process to create innovative and captivating toys for children.
2. Collectibles Market - Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Tapping into the growing market for unique and rare collectible items, delivering limited-edition dolls with distinctive features and stories.
3. Vintage Doll Restoration - Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Offering restoration services and specialized products to cater to the demand for preserving and reviving vintage dolls, including 3-faced dolls.
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