G.I. Joe fans will be saddened by the news that the franchises creator Stanley Weston, passed away at the age of 84. Mr. Weston came up with the idea of G.I. Joe after Mattel released their Barbie line back in 1960, and he noticed that boys were also playing with the Ken doll. This gave him the idea of a military action figure doll, and the first G.I. Joe figure hit shelves in 1963. At the time, he sold the line to Hasbro for $100,000.
Weston had previously served in the military and worked in the ad business. Eventually he started his own merchandising business named Weston Merchandising. In addition to G.I. Joe, he is also credited for helping create ThunderCats.
ToyHypeUSA would like to send out condolences to his family and friends, and would like to thank Mr.Weston for all of his hard work in the industry.
Source: THR