Mechanical figure:E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Talking Figure

Movie director and storyteller Steven Spielberg offered a feature film "E. T., The Extra-Terrestrial" in 1982. The story about an alien botanist who becomes stranded on earth, befriends 11 year-old Elliot and his siblings, learns much about American culture such as beer, Reese's Pieces, Coca Cola, and Halloween, and attempts to return to his spacecraft while avoiding capture by U.S.-government officials struck a chord (or several) with the American public. During its initial release, "E.T." became the highest grossing film in movie history. The movie's theater release was accompanined by the sale of a variety of licensed products including action figures, toys, bed linens, room furnishings, clothes, tablewares, lunch boxes, and other consumer goods. The movie remains the 4th highest grossing movie to this day. In 2002, the enduring popularity of the film marked a 20th-anniversary celebration of its initial release.