Gonk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the generic toy. For the plastic dolls known as "gonk trolls", see Troll doll. For the Herbert Chappell song, see Dawn of the Dead (soundtracks).


Gonks are novelty toys and collectibles[1] originating from the United Kingdom in the 1960s.

Created by English inventor Robert Benson, the toys went on to gain popularity partly due to public endorsements by celebrities such as Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers[citation needed]. The Gonks' signature features include a small, spherical body, a furry texture, and two googly eyes. Some Gonks would have outfits such as Merseybeat rockers and were marketed as collectibles. They were popular with children with success attributed to how gonks "can be made from almost any material and of any size."[2] The appearance of some of these toys have been compared to the op art movement.[3]

Redesigned gonks were introduced into Australia by Tony Bell in the 1970s. They were sold in skill testers and fairgrounds across New South Wales and Queensland[citation needed].

Gonks from a late-1970s Australian fairground event.

History[]

When Londoner Robert Benson invented the original toys they achieved popularity in the United Kingdom in the 1960s.[4][1] The sale of the toys would expand to nations such as Canada and the United States. In particular, the company GUND began to sell Gonks at a large scale in the U.S., including inflatable vinyl versions.[5][6]

Gonks were featured in the film title design of the 1965 science fiction film Gonks Go Beat, a movie created by the exploitation film director Robert Hartford-Davis that featured a Romeo and Juliet-like love story with celebrity appearances by Ginger Baker and Lulu[citation needed].

Gonks lost the Toy Retailers Association's 'Toy of the Year' title to the 'Action Man' dolls[citation needed].

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Macdonald, Iain (May 12, 1964). "Just a Crazy Mixed up Gonk". Evening Times. Glasgow. p. 12. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  2. ^ Greenaway, Gladys; Greenaway, Kathryn (1973). Toy Making. . p. 30.
  3. ^ "'Living Dolls for Christmas". The Beaver County Times. Penn. November 25, 1965. p. B-9. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  4. ^ "Cheaper toys 'are Christmas hits'". BBC News. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Going, Going, Gonk". Newsweek. October 1964. pp. 106, 109. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  6. ^ Raiffe, Bruce S.; Alex Baron Raiffe (2005). Gund. Images of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 9780738537108. OCLC 62380934. Retrieved March 31, 2013.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""