Saving the World with Cheap Generic War Toys
A Theodore Talks Lecture given by Brian McCarty, Photographer
Sunday, October 25th, 2026, via Zoom at 2:30 p.m.
For his War Toys photo series, photographer Brian McCarty has spent years sourcing toy-props in war zones. After finding the exact same inexpensive toys everywhere from Beirut to Baltimore, his research revealed that just a handful of factories are churning out these cheap toys for the global market – and that small changes could make a huge impact. With support from Fulbright, the US Department of State, and PolyU Design Hong Kong, the War Toys® organization is now working to positively influence children’s play on a global scale by partnering with generic toy makers; developing new, extremely low-cost toy lines; and allowing factories to keep all the revenue. In exchange, War Toys is harnessing existing markets to impact millions upon millions of children for relatively little cost. As a pilot and proof of concept, they’re starting with the ubiquitous army men sets and are fostering a small-but-important addition to the plastic soldiers still being sold worldwide – photojournalists, aid workers, and frontline rescuers.
Brian conducted research on these factories and developed a simple strategy for improving the play and developmental value of these extremely low-cost toys: thus, giving manufacturers better designs and subsidizing their startup production costs. The presence of these new humanitarian heroes changes the inherent play patterns with the toys, giving children more options than us versus them, while quietly promoting more peaceful ideals, somewhat ironically, for how kids play at war. There are endless opportunities to encourage similar changes to the other enduringly popular, generic toy lines. War Toys will bridge the play gap for disadvantaged children and create ripple effects that will span generations. After all, at this level of the market, the same toy designs have been sold for decades.
Register for this presentation here.
NOTE: This is the last Theodore Talks lecture of 2026. Theodore Talks typically take place via Zoom on the fourth Sunday of each month at 2:30 p.m. CT.
The Theodore Talks lecture series is made possible by the generous financial support of Life Member Dr. Mark Cohen and is provided free to all members in an effort to provide more value to your membership.
Thank you for supporting the Theodore Talks lecture series. A list of 2027 Theodore Talks will be found on the American Mensa National Events Calendar.
Questions? Contact Brad Lucht at >> [email protected].
Brad Lucht/Shirley Mouer, Theodore Talks Co-Chairs
