In 1950, the creative minds at Topps decided that they could sell even more bubble gum by inserting trading cards. The first trading cards were Hopalong Cassidy, the TV and film cowboy; "Frank Buck "Bring 'em Back Alive" cards (featuring big game hunts in Africa), and All-American football cards. The following year, the first baseball cards were created – game cards, actually, and not very handsome at that. But in 1952, Sy Berger, a war veteran with a creative mind and a keen knowledge of baseball, developed the first "modern baseball card," complete with player image, team logo, vital statistics, and full playing record.
After World War II, Topps Gum evolved into Bazooka Bubble Gum, named after a musical instrument of all things. Nobody found the "Atom Bubble Boy," the symbol of the product, to be especially interesting; and so Bazooka Joe (complete with his eye patch) was created and comics were wrapped around the chunks of gum. Through the collecting of the comics, kids could redeem their fortunes for such things as a "super spy telescope." Great stuff!
It wasn't long before the idea of cards helping to sell more gum went quite the other way – the cards were what people longed for. And Topps was leading the way, developing baseball, football, basketball and hockey products, and serving as the "gateway to the games" for millions of young fans, who first discovered the players through the cards, even before attending their first games. Many baby boomers today, who now buy cards for their children – and grandchildren – picture players of the past based on their Topps images.
The first card in that set, Andy Pafko (Dodgers), is a collector's gem today, because so many people sorted their cards by number and wrapped rubber bands around their stacks. Poor Andy. Not many Pafkos survived the rubber band wars!
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