Playmobil was invented by Hans Beck, who spent three years developing it between 1971 and 1974. He strived to find a toy that was flexible enough for children to be creative with, but also allowed them to follow a clear set of instructions on how to make something. His finished product measured 7.5cm tall so that it would fit perfectly in a child’s hand. The facial design was based on a child’s drawing of a big smiley face with no nose. It was in 1974 that the company displayed its first sets of knights, Indians and construction workers on show. Despite the fact that initial visitors were reluctant to accept the toy, they were shown at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, where a Dutch firm agreed to buy a whole years production. The launch of the product was very successful, accounting for one-sixth of the company’s total sales, which lead to Playmobil being sold worldwide in 1975.