The Little Toy

DATE - 1952

The Little Toy came with modular, square, and triangular cardboard panels in a range of bright, solid colors as well as silk-screened and geometric patterns. It also included wireframes and small pieces of colored bell wire to connect the shapes and frames. The product reflected the Eameses’ interest in modular space and their love for adapting readily available, off-the-shelf materials to new and unexpected uses.

Additional Information

The Eameses created The Little Toy as a small variation of The Toy. In contrast to its larger predecessor, which was made for people to play “in,” Charles and Ray made this design for children and adults to play “with.”

One could make small sets, tents, and houses to use with other toys and objects. Instead of the more flexible material used with The Toy, The Little Toy used more rigid cardboard. The Little Toy was manufactured until 1961.