In 1958, plastics enthusiast Horst Brandstatter began experimenting with new toys made of plastic. At first he tried making hula hoops, but he quickly decided to stay away from "fad toys" and instead cultivate a following of his own. In 1975, his Playmobil figures were released internationally. Just 3 in. tall, the figures were modeled after people and places from around the world and became so popular that they were eventually featured in McDonald's Happy Meals — a high honor in the toy world at the time.