OUR inspiration
Their Playful Spirit and Belief That Funomenal Fun Helps Kids Thrive!
35 YEARS OF FUNOMENAL FUN
Highlights from hundreds of products.
Toy Industry Hall of Fame
Toy Industry of Hall of Fame Tribute
In 2014, Spud and Rich were posthumously inducted. Chuck was asked to produce a tribute video for the ceremonies.
Chuck Spoke of the Future
Chuck encouraged toy industry executives to fill the void left by Spud and Rich's passing.
Now, For a New Generation
How insights from Chuck's childhood form the foundation for more fun today.
Growing Up Fun
"When Dad came home early, we knew he had something new!" Spud and Rich often used their kids as testers of their latest inventions. At right: Super Stuff.
Product Tester
Chuck's first product test didn't go according to plan but he had fun and eventually got the hang of it!
Commercial Extra
Spud and Rich made their own TV commercials and invited kids from the neighborhood, making them more authentic. Spud even enlisted the help of their postal carrier!
Fun For The Next Gen
Chuck noted, "When I played with my daughters, I found myself doing the same things Dad did. I shared with him how special it was to feel my connection with him, through my kids."
A Fun Education
Selling
During hot summer days, Chuck learned to sell by pulling his wagon door-to-door, selling water slides for $5.98.
With the charisma of a 6-year old and a snappy sense of personal fashion, he helped the neighborhood cool down.
Learning
Chuck remembers learning how important it was to demonstrate the visual fun of the product. That fun was found on the faces of children. Spud and Rich shot their own commercials in their front yards and filled them with kids from their neighborhoods. That's how they achieved such powerfully authentic images.
Funnovating
Spud and Rich were natural teachers. They trained Chuck to be curious and constantly look at things for how they might be better. "What if... " and "How about... " started countless debates over new ideas.
Chuck's "Moon Gravity Machine" was inspired by the Apollo missions. He used bicycle wheels, his old boy scouts backpack frame, buckets and barbell weights to represent 5/8 of his body weight to "feel" the moon's gravity.
Playing
Spud and Rich made work fun and play was even funner! Their sense of humor and fun-loving natures certainly rubbed off.
This photo was Chuck's idea but he quickly regretted it as the rope tightened around his ankles. "It was incredibly painful. The smile on my face is actually just gritted teeth!" Dad pulled on my arm to take some of the weight off and we got the shot. THIS NUT DIDN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE.