Posted March 4th, 2009

On doing the impossible.

We have learned that we can indeed do the impossible if we set aside our preconceived notion that some desireable end result is impossible. Setting aside that belief makes the impossible become possible. Sounds like circular, tautological logic, but it is a simple concept, and true.
 
When we worked with Fisher Price to develop the mechanism that became TMX Elmo they wanted us to add an arm action and to accomplish all the actions with only two motors. We were convinced that it was impossible, and would require at least three motor mechanisms. We believed that what they wanted could not be done.
 
But we set aside that disbelief, and went about the  task of doing just that. It was not easy, and some spectacular teamwork was required between designer, model maker, and electronics expert to accomplish the task, but I believe the end result is one of the most elegant mechanisms ever utilized in a toy. It is one we are very proud of.

TMX Elmo, as you may know, sold more units in one day than any other toy in history, was 2007 Preschool and 2007 Overall Toy of the Year, and brought smiles and laughter to tens of millions of people, if not more. So we continue our work, seeking to do what others might think cannot be done. We love doing the impossible because we know if we do, no one will have done it before us, because they would have thought it impossible and not even attempted it.

We are pushing the envelope of mechanisms and mechanical technologies, and attempting to do things with age old phenomena that are entirely new to the world of toys. I love what we do. Different challenges every day. So hard that it seems impossible sometimes. And we love that.

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written by Joe P, March 05, 2009

So true. Bruce, when we developed the Dancing Hamsters, I was told at least 10 times that our factories couldn't do mechanisms that small. It pays off being persistent - though it tends to annoy a lot of people.

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