GI Joe Figures


It began in 1963 when Stan Weston, a toy inventor, saw how successful the Barbie doll for girls had become. He invented a "doll",with a military theme,that could be sold to boys. Don Levine, creative director of Hasbro at the time, liked the idea and approved it. He also invented  the name of the line, inspired by a 1945 movie called "The Story of G.I. Joe".

The first ever G.I.Joe line was launched in 1964. They had the same scale as Barbie dolls, 12 inches, and there was originally four figures, one for each branch of the Armed Forces.

During the years to follow, G.I.Joe had several changes in the war theme and was re-launched as "The adventures of G.I.Joe", and subsequently as "Adventure Team" to get away from the war theme associated with the Vietnam War. The original line of 12 inch G.I.Joes was ended in 1976 in the USA.

A Real American Hero 

G.I.Joe action figures were re-launched successfully in 1982 when Hasbro introduced a small scale line of figures, to compete with the ever popular Star Wars action figures. The decision to go with this smaller scale also allowed production of a various vehicles and play sets.

The small scale line ended in 1994. An assortment of figures was produced in 1998, exclusively for Toys "R" Us, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 3 3/4 inches GI Joe figures.

The New 3 3/4 inches G.I.Joe

Shortly after the last anniversary line the small figures made a comeback in the toystores. In 2000, Hasbro made a selection of figures and vehicles which they produced until 2002. They were sold in a package of 2.  In 2002, this line was called "G.I.Joe vs Cobra" and each collection from 2002 to 2005 was centered around various themes. Following the edition of  "G.I.Joe vs Cobra" there was "Spy Troops", and later the "Valor vs. Venom" theme.

After a short suspension in 2005 Hasbro released another kind of G.I.Joe action figure Sigma 6,in 8-inches size. The 3 3/4 inch figure came back as a direct to buyer line, which was sold later at retail outlets because of it's success with collectors.

25th Anniversary GI Joe

2007 was the 25th anniversary of the "A Real American Hero" line. To commemorate this, Hasbro produced a collection of newly designed small figures based on the original design of several of the most popular characters. The new figures had a swivel chest feature and many more movable joints.

The new line was very successful,and what was to be only 2 collector sets of 5 figures became a full line  of figures which is still in production in 2008.