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Saw an ELI5 post asking what makes a vintage toy a "classic", and it got me thinking. It's gotta be more than just age, right? I mean, there are plenty of old toys nobody remembers. Seems like a combination of factors: nostalgia, widespread appeal during its time, and some kind of lasting impact.
For example,a Lite-Brite is pretty simple,but so many people remember playing with it and associate it with childhood. It was also fairly accessible to a lot of kids, so it had a wide reach. And decades later, people still recognize it instantly. Compare that to some obscure toy that might be just as old but only a handful of people ever knew about.
I wonder what else contributes to a toy's "classic" status? Does perceived quality play a role? Are some materials seen as more valuable over time? And does rarity automatically make something a classic, or is popularity a more critically important factor? curious what othre people think makes the difference.