Picture block:The Pleasewell Series Picture Cubes: Three Little Kittens

Many of today's toys and games make use of images from popular culture to attract consumers. In 2009 for instance, Mattel introduced Bella Swan and Edward Cullen into its collection, dolls inspired by the popular "Twilight" movies. Decades earlier, television shows prompted a slew of related board games, from "Happy Days: Fonzie's Real Cool Game" to "All in the Family: Archie Bunker's Card Game." Popular culture, however, infiltrated the toy industry long before the dawn of movie theaters, radios, and television sets. In the 19th century, Mother Goose, Cinderella, Little Boy Blue, Robinson Crusoe, and other beloved characters from literature, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales appeared as the subject of toys and games.