Evolution of the 3 3/4" scale action figure

[samurainoir]

Were Comic Action Superheroes one of the first out of the gate? When did they debut relative to Fisher Price Adventure guys?

When did Micronauts debut in North America relative to Star Wars in '78?

Were there any major toylines at this scale as articulated as the GI Joe 25th figures prior? (other than microman/micronauts)

[rche]

If you are digging into the beginnings of the 1:18 scale, don't forget the Excel western hero line.

[ctc]

>When did they debut relative to Fisher Price Adventure guys?

I THINK the Adventure People were first. I have memories of playing with them long before Star Wars, and I seem to recall a bunch of the prototype Star Wars figures were modified AP.

>When did Micronauts debut in North America relative to Star Wars in '78?

It was pretty close, but I think Micronauts made it to stores first; although the Star Wars "Early Bird Special" may have predated them.

>Were there any major toylines at this scale as articulated as the GI Joe 25th figures prior? (other than microman/micronauts)

Good question. The Micronaouts were the first I think. (Remembering that they came out in 1974/75 in Japan.)

Don C.

[Janson]

Looks like Micronauts hit in Japan 1974, States 1976.
Micronauts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But FISHER PRICE Adventure People started in 1975:
This Old Toy's Fisher-Price Adventure Series Figure Identification Main Index
So for us it would be the Adventure people. But some of those adventure people like the space guys (X-ray Man) looked liked knock off Micronauts to me. So I'd give Micronauts the nod as the inspiration for FPAP.

[rche]

not sure if you are looking for the origins of the 3 3/4 scale, or of the micronaut/joe style body.

Excel Little Legends were out in 1973.
Little Legends of Action Figure History (UPDATED 3/3/11) |

[Janson]

not sure if you are looking for the origins of the 3 3/4 scale, or of the micronaut/joe style body.

Excel Little Legends were out in 1973.
Little Legends of Action Figure History (UPDATED 3/3/11) |

Super sweet find, think we have a new king!

[MicromanZone]

According to what I know, the Fisher Price Adventure People figures were used by Kenner designers as the base—and parts even used as mockups—for the original Star Wars figures.

The Micronauts/Microman line from Mego/Takara doesn’t seem to have had any direct influence on the Star Wars or even Adventure People lines.

[Janson]

According to what I know, the Fisher Price Adventure People figures were used by Kenner designers as the base—and parts even used as mockups—for the original Star Wars figures.

The Micronauts/Microman line from Mego/Takara doesn’t seem to have had any direct influence on the Star Wars or even Adventure People lines.

I'm just saying that these 2 figures that came out in 1980 #380 X-RAY Man
#381 Adventure Series
and #378 X-Ray Women
#378 Adventure Series
Look like distant cousins to Mirconauts. I wouldn't be surprised if Fisher Price saw what Tomy was doing in Japan in 1974 and decided to use the same scale in the States to sell vehicles.

[palitoy]

FP AP launched in 1975.

By 1976, we had this:


Not to mention Mattel Space:1999 and Heroes in Action.

1977 Saw the Micronauts and Metal Men, sales were buoyed by an interest in SF and no legitimate SW merchandise.

Spring 1978 saw Kenner launch the SW line.

[turnbolt]

From what I can tell it looks like the first few 3 3/4" lines were:

1. Excel Legends
2. Takara Microman
3. FP Adventure people.
4. Heroes in Action

These all hit by 1975.

[danadoll]

http://theswca.com/index.php?action=...&item_id=62138

http://gardendesk.typepad.com/.a/6a0...8239970c-800wi

I like that C-3PO has a cut-out stand-in. They are pretty neat little mock-ups.

Dana

[kinostadt]

I've always considered Kenner's 1973 TTP cycle riders to be a starting point for the 3 3/4" scale.

[generic]

Wow! Thanks for posting that link. I'd never seen these before and they're awesome! I really like the Han Solo.

[turnbolt]

Would kill to have those mockups.

[toiletmonkey]

I never even heard of those mock up star wars figures! those are really really cool. seems like they would be easy customs to make if you had the right AP figures. thanks for posting that link!

TM