<Tr> <Th> Availability </Th> <Td> 1952--present </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Materials </Th> <Td> plastic felt (formerly) </Td> </Tr> <P> Mr. Potato Head is an American toy consisting of a plastic model of a potato which can be decorated with a variety of plastic parts that can attach to the main body . These parts usually include ears, eyes, shoes, a hat, a nose, and a mouth . The toy was invented and developed by George Lerner in 1949, and first manufactured and distributed by Hasbro in 1952 . Mr. Potato Head was the first toy advertised on television and has remained in production since its debut . The toy was originally produced as separate plastic parts with pushpins that could be stuck into a real potato or other vegetable . However, due to complaints regarding rotting vegetables and new government safety regulations, Hasbro began including a plastic potato body within the toy set in 1964 . </P> <P> Over the years, the original toy was joined by Mrs. Potato Head and supplemented with accessories such as a car and a boat trailer . Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head may be best known for their appearances in the Toy Story franchise . Additionally, in 1998 The Mr. Potato Head Show aired but was short - lived, with only one season being produced . As one of the prominent marks of Hasbro, a Mr. Potato Head balloon has also joined others in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade . Today, Mr. Potato Head can still be seen adorning hats, shirts, and ties . Toy Story Midway Mania!, in Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort, also features a large talking Mr. Potato Head . </P>

What was the first toy advertised on tv in the usa