Back in 2003, The Toy Industry Association released its Century of Toys List. This comprehensive roll call looks at toys and playthings from nearly 100 years of American history. There are familiar faces for each generation. What is really exciting about this list is the role magnets play in some of America’s favorite toys! These magnetic toys have stood the test of time and remain some of the most beloved playthings in history. We thought we’d revisit this list and give another shout-out to some of the most successful magnetic toys. Wooly Willy Making its debut in 1955, Wooly Willy quickly became a huge hit with baby boomers everywhere. It features a cardboard surface covered by plastic. A bald man with a bright red nose smiles eagerly as he awaits any conceivable hairstyle. Wooly Willy came with a magnetic wand which was used to drag iron filings around Willy’s face, giving him any hairdo, beard, mustache, or eyebrows you saw fit. America loves Wooly Will so much, there’s even an iPhone app to recreate the magnetic fun! Brio Train Sets These simple wooden trains and accessories came to America from Sweden in 1960. While most parts were made of wood, the trains and cars linked with magnets! As anyone who played with Brio trains can attest, they were pretty strong, too. Brio managed to evolve through the years, adding more and more train cars, tracks, and other accessories to its line. Perhaps one of the most famous additions was Thomas the Tank Engine. Brio train sets continue to inspire creativity and imagination--with just a little help from magnets. Magna Doodle In 1976, Magna Doodle was released by Tyco Toys. Playing off the success of other artistic toys like the Etch-a-Sketch, Magna Doodle soon became a staple in many households. As the name suggests, the toy relies on magnetic properties to operate. The screen is filled with a white liquid with denser magnetic crystal underneath. When you use the magnetized stylus or stamps, these crystals are brought to the surface and locked into place until you decide to clear them away. Another cool thing about Magna Doodle is that because it does not use any ink, paper, or graphite, it has become a staple of scuba diving. Divers constantly use Magna Doodles to write each other notes while underwater. There is a whole world of possibilities and applications for magnets, from computer hard drives to engine components. However, as this list proves, magnets also have a fun side and have brought joy to countless people over the past 100 years. Is there another magnetic toy we overlooked? Let us know about it!