In 1950, three Fisher-Price toymakers designed a toy fire truck, fixing three round-headed firefighters on top. Nine years later, the company produced the Safety School Bus with removable figures — the same stumpy, round characters as before. The figures became part of the Play Family line and are now the beloved Little People. They have gone on to populate toy farms, castles and even airports. But it wasn't until the 1970s that a black figure was introduced.