ETCH-A-SKETCH TURNS 40 (JUL. 12)

ETCH-A-SKETCH TURNS 40 (JUL. 12)

BRYAN, Ohio (Wireless Flash) -- Wednesday (July 12) marks the 40th anniversary of an event forever etched in toy history: The introduction of the Etch-A-Sketch. On July 12, 1960, the Ohio Art Company began selling the sketchy toy, which was an immediate hit. The man behind the Etch-A-Sketch was French inventor Arthur Granjean, who invented the toy in his garage, calling it "L'Ecran Magique" or "The Magic Crayon." Although the Ohio Art Company initially turned down Granjean's Etch-A-Sketch, they eventually paid $25,000 for the rights and it became one of the world's fastest selling toys. Nearly 8000 Etch-A-Sketches are manufactured each day and the most expensive model made to date is a 1985 "Executive Model" made out of walnut, sterling silver, sapphires and topaz. It sold for $3,750.