G.I. Joe: America's movable fighting man
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- This page is about the first series (and 40th ann. reproductions) in the G.I. Joe toy line. For the toy line in general, see G.I. Joe.
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[edit] G.I. Joe: America's movable fighting man (1964-69)
[edit] Introduction
This page will serve to outline the history of the first 12" articulated doll intended for boys; there are many reference books and websites with a wealth of additional information on the subject. I would advise anyone with a desire for more detailed background and production variation information to refer to them. There are links provided to pages outlining the later versions of Hasbro's 12" action figure. The 40th anniversary (2003-05) reproductions are included on this page, since they are almost exact replicas of the original items, rather than an extension to the line.
Hassenfeld BrothersⓇ (Hasbro) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island marketed the first "action figure" for boys in the early 1960's. It may seem strange to us in the 21st century, but the conventional wisdom of the early 1960's was that boys would not play with dolls. It was precisely for that reason that the word 'Doll' was never used by Hasbro, or anyone involved in the product development or marketing of G.I. Joe; "action figure" was the only acceptable term, and has since become the generic description for any posable doll intended for boys. 'America's movable fighting man' is a registered trademark of Hasbro, and it was prominently displayed on every boxed figure package.
The driving force behind the concept was Don Levine, who in 1963, was creative director of Hasbro Toys. Stan Weston of Weston Merchandising Corp., a product development company, approached him with the idea of a military-based toy line that would include figures and many accessories. Stan Weston credits Larry Reiner, then head of the games division at IdealⓇ Toys, with the notion of an articulated figure, based on conversations he had with Mr. Reiner regarding the concept[1]. Sam Speers, then of Hasbro's product development team, is primarily credited with the specific almost 12" tall articulated figure design as produced by Hasbro; his name appears on the patent # 3,277,602 "Toy figure having movable joints", assigned on Oct 11, 1966. The all-important packaging graphics were sub-contracted to Thresher and Petrucci Art Studio, a company based nearby that had previously produced freelance work for Hasbro.
The Hasbro prototypes were originally named "Rocky" (marine/soldier) "Skip" (sailor) and "Ace" (pilot), before the more universal name G.I. Joe was adopted. The initial product offering featured members of the four branches of the armed forces as follows; Action Soldier, Action Sailor, Action Pilot and Action Marine, with accessory sets immediately available for each branch. It was correctly assumed that competitors would try to emulate or outright copy the concept, so the idea was to offer a broad range of accessory items from the very start.
The ongoing situation in Vietnam, and the growing anti-war sentiment of the late sixties signalled the end of the early years of G.I. Joe; by 1969, He was no longer a soldier/sailor/pilot/marine, but rather an Adventurer; he was marketed under the "Adventures of G.I. Joe, and the line consisted of Adventurer, black Adventurer, Aquanaut, and Talking Astronaut. Instead of military sets, the mostly recycled materials from earlier years were given names such as "Fight for Survival" "Danger of the Depths". "Mysterious Explosion", "Secret Mission to Spy Island" and "Mouth of Doom". Everything would change the following year, as G.I. Joe received lifelike hair and beards, courtesy of Hasbro's U.K. licensee; Palitoy. See G.I. Joe Adventure Team for more information on the later series of G.I. Joe.
For more in-depth information and specifics, please refer to the books listed in the reference section
[edit] Head variations
Four hair colors were offered in 1964; Blonde, Auburn (Red), Brown and Black. Eye colors were specifically matched to hair colors; Blonde and Auburn hair came with brown eyes, Black and Brown hair came with blue eyes. In 1965 an American-ethnic version (not shown) of the basic soldier was offered; it was simply a caucasian feature figure molded in brown vinyl instead of the pink used otherwise. Some very early issue figures appear to have eyeliner (see example below), and these heads seem more prone to shrinkage than later variants. In 1966, a European and Japanese head version was released, with the advent of the 6 "Action Soldiers of the World' releases. In 1967, talking variants were also released. Late talker heads were of a softer vinyl, essentially the same as those used for flocking in the Adventurer series introduced in 1970. Please note that the provided talker soft head examples are in well-played condition, and exhibit hair and eyebrow rubs that would not have been present when new.
 60s Black hair |
 60s Blonde hair |
 60s Brown hair |
 60s Auburn hair |
 60s "eyeliner" |
 60s soft head, Brown |
 60s soft head, Blonde |
 repro European head |
[edit] Basic figure
The figure was loosely based on the artist's mannequins still available today; the following images clearly illustrate the figure's multiple points of articulation, previously not found in any children's toy. The advertising claimed "21 points of articulation", however, if one actually counts each individual pivot contact point, there are 19; head-to-neck, neck-to-torso, shoulder-to-torso(2), bicep-to-shoulder(2), elbow(2), wrist(2), torso-to-pelvis, hipball-to-pelvis(2), thigh-to-pelvis(2), knee(2) and ankle(2). The figure was held together by means of elastic, wire hooks and metal rivets. Pivot pins were made of a ribbed plastic (see below), which was pressed into the adjacent limb section, allowing the limbs to rotate as well as hinge at pivot point. Even this specific method of attaching the appendages was patented as a "Connection For Use In Toy Figures" (patent # 3,475,042, Oct. 28, 1969).The hip balls were made of a softer vinyl that allowed movement whilst retaining the surface friction required to maintain a pose. View photographs below for detail. Please note that these examples exhibit typical wear and tear, they are not prisitine examples. This level of attention to detail was of course costly to manufacture, and had caused product development no end of grief to devise, as simple as the end result seemed. The fact that so many still exist intact after more than forty years is a testament to the production quality that Hasbro demanded of its manufacturing plants. Cheap imitations of Hasbro's product did not bother with such detail, resulting in figures that lacked anything like the posability of G.I. Joe.
There were in fact a number of variations in construction and markings of the figure as produced in the first few years, the fine points of which can be found in the listed reference books. The most obvious are variations in the trademarking on the right buttock, three of which are illustrated. Another obvious variation was the early bodies with slotted shoulder joints and smaller feet. Others include less obvious variations in hand detailing, coloration and size; some early figures had no trademarkings at all; some have brass rivets on all or some of the joints. By now, many figures suffer from the effects of age, and exhibit stress cracks in some joints; see example below for typical knee stress cracking.
 Patent 3,277,602 |
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[edit] Trademarks
Aside from the obvious trademarking on the right buttock, other aspects of the figure were trademarks that allowed Hasbro to successfully pursue cases against producers of cheap imitations, since the human figure itself cannot be trademarked. The scar on the right cheek was one; another, unintentional at first, was the placement of the right thumbnail on the underside of the thumb. The first photo below is an example of early trademarking, with "GI Joe™", used through some point in 1965; the second photo illustrates the markings once GI Joe was a registered trademark; "GI Joe®" now appears on the first line. The third photo illustrates the trademarking after the patent was granted (in late 1966), and assigned a number; 3,277,602. If you wish to view the patent drawings, use the link provided under references; the patent can be viewed without charge. Figures with this marking would have entered the retail market during 1967. The following two images represent the trademarking used on GI Joe figures manufactured in Canada, as opposed to the U.S. production of the first three types. You may also notice that the Canadian version pelvis has an extra ridge immediately above the buttocks. This mold was the version used by Palitoy (without the trademarkings) when Action Man was released in the UK market in 1966.
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[edit] Packaging
The original 1964 basic figures came in a lidded box, with dynamic graphics that illustrated the specific branch of the military offered; the enclosed figure was not dressed as illustrated, but came with basic fatigues, boots, cap and dog tag as appropriate to the branch. The side panels of the box had photo illustrations of accessory sets available to fully kit out the enclosed figure, a well thought out marketing ploy. The background coloration depended on the branch; wood grain was used for soldier/marine, bright yellow was used for pilot, and blue was used for sailor. A folded leaflet was included in the box that illustrated all four branches, and all accessories (similar to this 60s Action Man version), along with a user's manual. The illustrated box examples are reproductions of the original packages. From left to right: Action Soldier, Action Sailor, Action Pilot, Action Marine and an African American-ethnic variant (offered about a year after the original release) . The figures in the adjacent photograph are from the 1964-1965 period, but the fatigues included with boxed figures typically did not have pockets, those came with the carded accessory sets.
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The "Action Soldiers of the World" releases of 1966 came in deluxe and small sets. The six offerings were: German Soldier, British Commando, Russian Infantryman, Australian Jungle Fighter, Japanese Imperial Soldier, and French Resistance Fighter. The deluxe sets were a window box format that contained the dressed figure, and all the attendant accessories. Down the left side of the package was a dynamic graphic of the included figure in action, with the package contents listed below. The small sets were split between a narrow boxed-dressed figure with only helmet, appropriate jacket and trousers, and boots; and a separate carded set that included all the accessories/equipment to complete the set.
[edit] Wooden footlocker
As with Action Man, during the 60s, GI Joe had a wooden footlocker to store his accessories in. The overall dimensions were identical to the Action Man item, but the details varied. The metal hinges and clasp were of different manufacture; the hinges did not have a built in stop to prevent the lid from falling back. The insert tray was of a yellow simulated grain plastic, instead of the white version of Action Man. There are green cords (age-bleached in example) attached to each end of the footlocker for carrying purposes. The lid had a GI Joe logo decal, and spaces to write one's name, rank and serial no. The lid had a decal insert that itemised all the Combat Soldier accessories it contained, matching the actual tray layout. In 1969, each figure had its own footlocker; Adventure locker, Astronaut locker, and Aquanaut locker with a new lid cover decal that illustrated two available outfit sets for each line. The insert trays for Aquanaut and Astronaut were different than the mold previously used, allowing for an outfit on the right. The Adventurer tray matched the earlier version. All three had different lid insert decals, as appropriate.
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[edit] Outfit and accessory items
GI Joe had a wealth of outfits, some came in deluxe sets with a figure, others were sold in carded outfit/accessory sets (see 40th anniversary sets for examples), as with the soldiers of the world sets. For complete lists of all available sets and permutations, it is recommended that you utilize the reference material. Each branch of the U.S. military was represented with outfit sets; The navy sets included a frogman, with real rubber 2-piece wetsuit; a deep sea diver, with rubberized suit, bell helmet, weights and other detailed accessories, a landing signal officer and others. The air force sets included a scramble pilot, pilot with working parachute, dress uniform; an astronaut with Mercury space capsule. The marines set included communications, paratrooper, beachhead assault, medic, and dress uniform. All authentic GI Joe clothing, and many of the early cloth accessory items, carried the "GI Joe™" or "GI Joe®" tag sewn into the neck of shirts/jackets, the inseam of pants, the left or right inseam of sweaters, and so on. Early items were produced in Japan, then all production was switched to Hong Kong, and this change is reflected in the tags. Weapons and other items were also typically stamped "Hasbro®", often with country of origin. The following images serve to illustrate some of the variations, and should not be deemed to represent the only variations that exist. The dressed figures are representative of how the outfit looks on a doll, but do not necessarily illustrate all items.
- outfit examples
 Dress Marine |
 Dress marine, back |
 Marine Para |
 Marine Para, back |
- tag examples
 Tank Commander jacket tag, Hong Kong |
 Dress Marine tag, Hong Kong |
 Fatigue shirt tag, Japan |
 Fatigue pants tag, Japan |
 Combat jacket tag, Japan |
 Combat backpack tag, Japan |
 Tent and Poncho tag, Japan |
 small accessory items |
 Cap tag, Hong Kong |
 Carbine tag |
 M1 rifle tag |
 Entrenching tool tag |
[edit] Vehicles
Hasbro did not produce many vehicles for the early series GI Joe. The "Five Star" Jeep illustrated was one of the few offered, beginning in 1965. It was of sturdy construction, available with a trailer, in which the searchlight was mounted; a 105mm cannon was mounted in the position occupied by the searchlight in the provided photographs. The Sears exclusive version of the jeep did not have the green rims, but was otherwise identical. There was also a sand colored variant sold as Desert Patrol. Hasbro also produced a Crash Crew Fire Truck. Hasbro granted a licence to Irwin in 1967 to manufacture seven vehicles; a small jet fighter, jet helicopter, motorcycle and side car (in a couple of color combinations), DUKW, armored car, personnel carrier w/mine sweeper, and a german staff car . These were of the blow-mold variety, and suffered from lack of detail, disproportionate scaling, and longevity as a result of the cheaper production method.
In 1967, Hasbro sold but did not market two sets with vehicles under the Action Joe header. One was a police and motorcycle set, the other was a race car driver. Both were discontinued after poor market reception. The race car is similar in design to the more elborate motorized version sold by Palitoy in the UK around the same time.
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[edit] G.I. Joe: 40th Anniversary reproductions
Starting in 2003, Hasbro began releasing large boxed sets that contained both a boxed figure, and a large or small window boxed related outfit set Some sets came with a few carded accessories instead of a window box set. One soldier footlocker set was released; the large outer box has a diagonal stripe with "Timeless Collection" as did all 40th Anniversary sets. The 40th packaging was almost identical to the original items, with the addition of "Anniversary Edition" to all boxes, and "40th" imprinted on all plastic items to clearly distinguish them from original items. All literature and boxes contain the amended copyright "© 1964,2003 Hasbro, Pawtucket, RI 02862 USA." These sets typically retailed for around $30 U.S. There were 23 general release sets all together; numbered 1-21, and 30. Others numbered between 22 and 29 have been released through collector clubs at premium prices (23; Combat Soldier, and 25; Pilot Dress Parade) since the general releases were cancelled. The figures were generally available in all Blonde, Black, Brown and Auburn hair variants, with the appropriate eye colors. A few sets came with American-ethnic variants. The body itself is simply the Timeless Collection, with a revised copyright, skin tone and head mold.
[edit] Packaging
Below are examples of 40th Anniversary packaging. All sets came in the large green outer box as illustrated below; the figure box is on the left, with the actual figure visible from the back. There is little to remark on them, since the contents of the package are identical in all aspects to original 60s variants, except as noted above. The overall attention to detailed replication of the original items and their specific layout in the packacking is of an excellent level, unlike the Timeless Collection items that often were slightly off in terms of scale and detailing. All sets came with the appropriate user manual (both figure and outfit/accessory), but none came with the equipment manual (fold-out leaflet) that depicted all available accessories for all four branches.
 40th Soldier footlocker |
 40th Packaging |
 40th Packaging, back |
40th Box examples |
 40th Diver and Crash Crew |
 40th Sailor/Pilot box back |
 40th MP and Dress Marine |
 40th Soldier/Marine box back |
 40th four branched box ends |
 40th small window boxes |
 40th Mountain Troops |
 40th Small box backs |
 40th Small box ends |
 40th Carded accessories |
 40th Carded accessories, back |
 Helmet sticker on carded accessories |
[edit] Figures
The figures enclosed with each set came in all available hair colors; some sets contained American-ethnic figures, and the box illustrations matched accordingly. All figures included dog tag. All soldiers and marines came with tall brown boots; all pilots came with tall black boots, and all sailors came with short black boots. The clothing varies slightly from one set to another within each branch (as did original production 1964-1968). All reproduction clothing carries a modified neck tag to indicate China as country of origin, as opposed to Hong Kong or Japan of original issue. The following is a list of clothed figures contained in sets 1-20, and #30.
- 1: Army; Green Fatigues, no pockets, green plastic cap. #2: Sailor; Denim shirt/pants, no pockets, white vinyl hat. #3: Marine; Camo fatigues, no pockets (stitched outline front pants pocket), green plastic cap. #4: Pilot; Orange jumpsuit w/side tabs, blue plastic cap.
- 5: Army; Green Fatigues, shirt pockets w/buttons, green plastic cap. #6: Army; Green Fatigues, shirt pockets w/buttons, green plastic cap. #7: Sailor; Denim shirt/pants with pockets, white cloth hat. #8: Marine; Camo fatigues, w/pockets (no buttons), stitched outline front pants pocket, green plastic cap.
- 9: Marine; Camo fatigues, no pockets (stitched outline front pants pocket), green plastic cap. #10: Army; Green Fatigues, no pockets, green plastic cap. #11: Marine; Camo fatigues, no pockets (stitched outline front pants pocket), green plastic cap. #12:Pilot; Orange jumpsuit (no side tabs), blue plastic cap.
- 13: Pilot; Orange jumpsuit (no side tabs), blue plastic cap. #14: Army; Green Fatigues, stiched outline front and back pants pockets, green cloth cap. #15: Sailor; Denim shirt/pants (no pockets), white cloth hat. #16: Sailor; Denim shirt/pants (no pockets), white cloth hat.
- 17: Marine; Camo fatigues, no pockets (stitched outline front pants pocket), green cloth cap. #18: Army; Green Fatigues, Shirt pockets (w/buttons), stiched outline front and back pants pockets, green cloth cap. #19: Pilot; "Goldenrod" jumpsuit w/sidetabs, blue plastic cap. #20: Marine; Camo fatigues, shirt pockets w/buttons, stitched outline front pants pocket, green plastic cap. #30: Army; Green Fatigues, no pockets, green plastic cap.
 40th Pilot (#19) with box |
 40th Trademarking |
 ME, TC and 40th head comparison |
[edit] References
- DePriest, D. (1999) "The Collectable G.I. Joe"
- Michlig, J. (1998) "G.I. Joe; The Complete Story of America's Favorite Man of Action"
- Marshall, J (1998) "Action Figures of the 1960s"
- DeSimone, J (1994) "The New Official Identification Guide To GI Joe 1964-1978"
[edit] Footnotes
[1]Michlig, J. (1998) "G.I. Joe; The Complete Story of America's Favorite Man of Action", Section 1, pp.18-21
[edit] Links
[edit] External links
- Official G.I. Joe Hasbro site
- The Official G.I. Joe Collectors' Club - Licensed by Hasbro
- Dan's Vintage GIJOE InfoSite
