One of the most well-received television series of the 1970s was The Six Million Dollar Man. The show, featuring the bionic government agent, Steve Austin, was extremely popular amongst children as well as adults. The show’s reception inspired the toy industry’s first successful television-inspired toy line. When were the original Six Million Dollar Man action figures made? What is their history?
The First Six Million Dollar Man Action Figures
It all started in 1975. This was when Kenner introduced the Six Million Dollar Man toy. Most action figures from that era usually fell within 8 to 12 inches. However, the Steve Austin figure towered over the rest, standing at 13 inches. This figure was impressively detailed, featuring a muscular physique and a NASA-inspired red tracksuit complete with matching red socks and sneakers.
Steve Austin’s Accessories
What set the Steve Austin figure apart from contemporaries like G.I. Joe and Big Jim wasn’t a range of accessories but the accessories built into the figure itself. Kids were fascinated by the figure’s unique features, such as a telescopic bionic eye that you could look through, plastic skin on his right arm that children could roll back to reveal removable mechanical pieces, and his unique bionic arm.
Steve Austin’s most exciting attribute was his bionic arm strength feature. A twist of the figure’s head, followed by a press of a button on his back, caused his right arm to lift up to two pounds while emitting “bionic sounds.” This made for thrilling playtime scenarios, cementing the Steve Austin figure’s popularity among children of the era.
Toy Line Expands
Kenner capitalized on the success of the original figure by producing three different versions of Steve Austin, alongside an array of accessories like a Back Pack Radio, Porta Communicator, and various Bionic Adventure Kit outfits, not to mention the adventurous Critical Assignment Arms and Legs.
Steve Austin’s universe didn’t stop at just one character. As the line grew, Steve was joined by several companions like Bionic Bigfoot, Dr. Kromedome, Fembot, Maskatron, and Oscar Goldman. Additionally, Kenner released a series of exciting playsets such as the Bionic Mission Vehicle, Bionic Transport and Repair Station, Command Console, Mission Control Centre, OSI Headquarters, and the Venus Space Probe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Six Million Dollar Man action figure line was not only a testament to the creative ingenuity of Kenner but also a landmark in the world of action figures and TV-inspired merchandise. These vintage figures are still cherished by collectors today, a testament to the enduring appeal of Steve Austin and his bionic exploits.
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About the Author
Author: Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!