Gonk

This article is about the generic toy. For the plastic dolls known as "gonk trolls", see Troll doll. For the mythical creature, see Nisse (folklore). For the Herbert Chappell song, see Dawn of the Dead (soundtracks).

Gonks are novelty toys and collectibles[1] originating from the United Kingdom in the 1960s.

Created by English inventor Robert Benson, the toys gained popularity and were owned by celebrities including Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers.[1] The Gonks' signature features include a small, spherical body, a furry texture and two googly eyes.[citation needed] Some Gonks had outfits such as those of Merseybeat rockers and were marketed as collectibles. They were popular with children and their success was attributed to how they "can be made from almost any material and of any size."[2] The appearance of some of these toys has been compared to the op art movement.[3]

Gonks from a late-1970s Australian fairground event.

Redesigned gonks (cylinders rather than spheres) were introduced into Australia by Tony Bell[citation needed] in the 1970s. They were sold in skill testers and fairgrounds across New South Wales and Queensland.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b Macdonald, Iain (May 12, 1964). "Just a Crazy Mixed up Gonk". Evening Times. Glasgow. p. 12. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  2. ^ Greenaway, Gladys; Greenaway, Kathryn (1973). Toy Making. Drake Publishers. p. 30.
  3. ^ "'Living Dolls for Christmas". The Beaver County Times. Penn. November 25, 1965. p. B-9. Retrieved September 5, 2015.