GI Joe Action Figures

http://action-figure-toys.com/reviews/gi-joe-action-figures/ In 1963, noting the commercial success of the Barbie doll for girls, Stan Weston, a toy creator and licensing agent, had merchandising rights to a 1963 Yank TV show The Lieutenant. He presented the show for viewing to Don Levine, the creative director of toy manufacturer Hasbro, both thought the plot of the journeys of Lieutenant played by Gary Lockwood in the 1963 U.S marine Corps appeared like a soap opera. Weston created the concept of a line of Barbie-sized dolls with a military theme that may be marketed to boys.