Glo Worm Explained

Glo Worm
Company:Hasbro
Playskool
Country:United States
Type:Stuffed toy
From:1982
To:present

Glo Worm is a stuffed toy for young children, designed by Hasbro's Playskool division, and made in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Introduced in 1982, the plush, pajamaed worm body[1] contained a battery-powered device that when squeezed would light up the toy's vinyl head from within, creating a soft glow.The original toy, upon release, was such a success[2] [3] that Hasbro released a new Musical Glo Worm and Glo Bug in 1984, and a Glo Butterfly in 1985. A series of story books, night lights, videos and other merchandise was also produced until the early 1990s. However, in late 2005, the product was criticized for harming children;[4] its plastic head was softened with phthalates, which can be dangerous if swallowed by children.[5] The Glo Worm is still made today, although with an updated appearance.

Glo Friends

Playskool expanded its brand of "Glo" toys made of soft vinyl that glowed,[6] and released The Glo Friends animated series in 1986.

American fast food chain Wendy's released a series of Glo Friends soft vinyl toys as a promotion in 1989.

In collaboration with Playskool, toy company PlayMonster expanded the Glo Friends with Wigglebug in 2022.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Townsend . Allie . Glo Worm - All-Time 100 Greatest Toys . https://web.archive.org/web/20110219115008/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2049243_2048660_2049194,00.html . dead . February 19, 2011 . . February 16, 2011 . June 8, 2011.
  2. News: Heine . Max . December 11, 1983 . Cabbage Patch dolls not only popular item . . June 8, 2011 . March 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160312045223/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qjQdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gqUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6687,2971225&dq=glow+worm+-display-ad&hl=en . live .
  3. News: Dollmania: Cabbage Patch Kids Causing Near Riots . . November 28, 1983 . June 8, 2011 . March 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160312045241/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ANheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GVMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2241%2C2660377&dq=glow%20worm%20-display-ad&hl=en . live .
  4. News: Gloworm, others on the naughty list . November 23, 2005 . June 8, 2011 . . October 25, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132522/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PBEB&p_theme=pbeb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10E138894155EF28&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM . live .
  5. News: Watchdog Growling at 'Killer' Toys . https://web.archive.org/web/20121107200105/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/access/930695001.html?dids=930695001:930695001&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+23%2C+2005&author=DAN+KADISON&pub=New+York+Post&desc=WATCHDOG+GROWLING+AT+%27KILLER%27+TOYS&pqatl=google . 2012-11-07 . . ProQuest Archiver and Internet Archive. November 23, 2005 . June 8, 2011 . Dan . Kadison.
  6. Web site: Glo Worm and Glo Friends Toys & Products - Vintage, New, 1980s Merch . 2023-05-16 . RetroGeek Toys . en-US . May 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516063533/https://retrogeektoys.com/product-tag/glo-worm/ . live .
  7. Web site: Pelletier . Ashley . 2022-09-12 . PlayMonster Introduces New Chief Parenting Officer in Tandem with Playskool Glo Friends Launch . 2024-04-03 . The Toy Book . en-US . February 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230214223928/https://toybook.com/playmonster-chief-parenting-officer/ . live .