Smurfette Toy Car - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2009 (click on image to enlarge)Aside from its value as an artifact of popular culture, this small metal car with a plastic “Smirfette” represents an important aspect of San Fernando Valley economic history. When the Smirfette car is turned over, it reveals that the toy was manufactured in Dyersville, Iowa – and, licensed by Wallace Berrie and Company in Van Nuys.
Much of the history of the San Fernando Valley is the history of America's Entertainment Industry. Over the years, hundreds of companies have been developed to fill the many needs of movie makers. Among the most important of these is modern “licensing.” Can you imagine the amount of money earned by the Walt Disney Company from the licensing of its animation characters onto lunch boxes, sweat shirts and toys?
Interested in helping your Museum capture and preserve the economic and cultural history of the San Fernando Valley? Join us by calling 1 (818) 347-9665.
The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Entertainment Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.
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