Founder of Polly Pocket toy brand who ‘bought unbelievable joy to millions’ dies aged 91

THE founder of Polly Pocket has died aged 91.

Sir Torquil Norman, whose toy company was responsible for the iconic toy brand, has been described as “an extraordinary man”.

GettySir Torquil Norman – the founder of Polly Pocket – has died aged 91[/caption] ©2016 Mattel.Polly Pocket was first launched in 1989[/caption]

Conservative MP Jesse Norman led tributes to his father as he spoke at business questions in the House of Commons.

Shadow Commons leader Mr Norman told MPs: “Almost exactly 24 hours ago, my father Torquil Norman died at the age of 91.

“He was an extraordinary man who flew Seafires and Sea Furies during his national service in the Fleet Air Arm.

“He created Polly Pocket, a toy which bought unbelievable joy to millions of young people around the House and around the world.

“And he rebuilt the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm in London, not just as an incredible performing arts centre but as a creative centre for young people and for them to find their way from whatever backgrounds into jobs.”

Educated at Eton College, and then Harvard University and Trinity College, Cambridge, Sir Torquil then did National Service in the RAF.

After subsequently working as an investment banker in the US for over a decade he returned to the UK in the 1960s and entered the toy making industry.

Sir Torquil was CEO of Berwick Timpo from 1973 and then in 1980 founded Bluebird Toys, makers of Big Yellow Teapot House, the Big Red Fun Bus and Polly Pocket.

The latter doll range had been designed by Chris Wiggs in 1983 before Bluebird licensed the concept and they went on sale in 1989.

The original toys were plastic cases that opened to form a dollhouse or a playset with Polly figurines standing less than an inch tall.

Mattel took over distribution in the early 1990s, as part of an agreement with Bluebird, and have gone onto produce larger fashion dolls.

Both the toy line and company were then fully acquired by Mattel in 1998, with the original Bluebird range now valuable collectables.