Toy oven

This toy oven set with accessories was used for pretend play by Diane Bright when she was about 6 years in 1948. Diane remembers lighting a fire with cotton wool and metholated spirits then cooking vegetables in one of the pots.

 

In the past, domestic toys like this were mainly given to girls. It was one way of preparing them for their expected future role as homemakers, in this case teaching cooking skills.

 

Since the 1940s, when this toy was made and played with, there have been major changes in health and safety regulations for the toy industry and also in parenting ideas. Playing with fire for example is actively discouraged. Diane remembers that she and her brother were given rules and advice about how to be safe but were mainly supervised by her parents from a distance.