Non-fiction
Toys as ethnographic material are described by many authors, e.g. Gordon (1953), Daiken (1953), Murray (1968), Geist (1971), Fredlund (1973) and Hansen (1979).
White (1971) and the Danish Cultural Historical Museum Society “Heritage and Ownership” (Arv og Eje) analysed the historical development of toys and typified toys on the basis of culture and development. Hansen’s account covers Greenland toys. Sigsgaard and Varnild (1982) cover antique toys compared to how we see modern toys.
As for non-fiction about modern toys, I have been inspired by my studies of the major works, including “Spielzeug” by Retter (1979) and “Toys as Culture” by Sutton-Smith (1986) with many references and sources and other works by the same authors in addition to long conversations with both authors and a long list of more recent articles and dissertations prepared by toy and play researchers in association with the ICCP (International Council for Children’s Play) and the ITRA (International Toy Research Association).
My inspiration material has also included the toy manufacturers’ many brochures produced over the years, toy advertising (from several media channels) and studies and observations of children’s play with toys.