The History of Easy-Bake Ovens

The Easy-Bake Oven is a famous toy that many young kids have enjoyed. But did you know that it was inspired by street vendors? It’s true! In the early 1960s, toy makers at Kenner, Inc. were inspired by New York City pretzel makers to create the Easy-Bake Oven. They realized parents might have safety concerns about a traditional heating element, however, so they replaced it with two 100-watt household lightbulbs instead. The first Easy-Bake Oven debuted in 1963 along with a recipe book, cookie mixes, utensils, and bake pans. The first colors available were turquoise and pale yellow. Over the years, the design has changed, but the toy’s popularity remains the same. In fact, since its debut in 1963, over 23 million Easy-Bake Ovens have been sold!