 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (February 2024) |
 Original Action Man figure from 1966 | |
| Type | Action figure |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Hasbro |
| Company | Palitoy / Hasbro |
| Country | United States United Kingdom |
| Availability | 1966–1984 / 1993–2006, 2009 |
Action Man is an action figure launched in Britain in 1966 by Palitoy as a licensed copy of Hasbro's American "movable fighting man", G.I. Joe.
Action Man was originally produced and sold in the United Kingdom and Australia by Palitoy Ltd of Coalville, Leicestershire from 1966 until 1984. Palitoy offered sub-licences to toy manufacturers in other markets.
The figure and accessories were originally based on the Hasbro (US) 1964 G.I. Joe figure, for 1966–1969 production. Hasbro's G.I. Joe figure was patented in 1966.[1] Even the specific method of attaching the appendages was patented as a "Connection for Use in Toy Figures".[2] The first Action Man figures were Action Soldier, Action Sailor and Action Pilot. All were available in the four original hair colours: Blonde, Auburn, Brown and Black. They were accompanied by outfits depicting United States Forces of World War II and the Korean War. From 1970 to 1984, the basic boxed figures and accompanying uniforms and accessories reflected the forces of the United Kingdom rather than the USA. Action Man was reintroduced in 1993, based on the G.I. Joe Hall of Fame figure of that time.
- ^ US 3,277,602 with Sam Speers credited as inventor of same.
- ^ US 3475042 28 Oct. 1969).