Here's a good read for aspiring toy designers: Inventor's Digest has an interview up with David Fitzgibbons, a recruiter for the toy industry. Though he recruits at the executive level, Fitzgibbons' extensive industry experience allow him to break down "some of the biggest mistakes inventors make when approaching toy companies" and what the upcoming areas are in toy innovation. Then he lets loose with this gem:

ID: ...Tell us, what's your favorite toy of all time?

DF: The 1964-era 12" G I Joe. Joe's detailed line of accessories, realistic uniforms and extensive play pattern won me over at a young age. It also taught me a valuable lesson as the inventor of GI Joe took a lump-sum payout of $100,000 for his concept rather than a royalty. That decision cost him nearly $20 million in royalties....

"Losing your royalties is half the battle."

In marginally related original G.I. Joe news, we found this somewhat disturbing photo on a website called Rat Hunter: