This educational presentation highlights the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of female designers who shaped the history of play. Visitors to Toy Worlds Museum Basel can explore historic dolls, plush items, and therapeutic board games. Learn about their struggles for equality and their lasting impacts on global childhood education.
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This exhibition explores the vital and often overlooked role of women in the toy industry, spanning from classic dolls and plush items to educational board games. It highlights the creative contributions, entrepreneurial spirit, and struggles for equality faced by these pioneering designers who shaped the world of play.
Plush, Play & Pioneers: Women in Toy Design examines the significant yet frequently understated influence of women within the toy manufacturing sector. The exhibition showcases how these innovators have contributed to the development of beloved toys, ranging from traditional plush animals and dolls to complex construction sets and therapeutic educational materials. By focusing on the historical and contemporary work of these women, the exhibition sheds light on their personal achievements, the working conditions they navigated, and their broader efforts to advocate for equality in a male-dominated industry. Visitors will learn about the deep connection between these designers' creative work and their dedication to child development and educational reform. The featured toys serve as examples of how these pioneers transformed the industry through innovation and vision, creating products that now form an essential part of museum collections worldwide. The exhibition provides a respectful look at their legacy, celebrating both the objects they crafted and the entrepreneurial spirits that broke new ground in the world of toys.
General admission to the museum is CHF 7 for adults. Discounted entry for seniors and persons with disabilities is CHF 5, while entry for children and youth up to 16 years old is free of charge. Tickets can be purchased directly at the museum upon arrival during standard opening hours, Tuesday through Sunday.
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