Downers Grove Man Reflects on Bringing Smiles to Children Through Happy Meals

Henry Bird loves the food and restaurant experience at his Downers Grove senior living community. What’s unusual is that he also loves going to fast food restaurants, not so much for the food, but to scope out the latest toys that come in kids’ meals.

For 34 years, millions of children have found happiness in kids’ meals, opening them up to find a fun toy inside. Henry Bird is one of the people who made it all possible.

Henry worked for Rogers Merchandising, the first company to put toys in kids’ meals. The first toy he purchased was a flute-shaped pickle called the “pickle-o.” That toy was followed by Frisbees, cars and little bicycle licenses.

Over the years, the toys have grown in cost and in size. Food chains across the country soon jumped on the kids’ meal bandwagon. In fact, the most successful toy Henry purchased and placed went to Burger King kids’ meals. The Empire Strikes Back glasses flew off the shelves to more than 4 million people across the U.S.

At 92, Henry Bird still has the heart of a kid and is always curious to see what’s new in the world of kids’ meal toys. He loves to talk about his experience and knowledge of toys over the years. He also has a few mementos in his apartment at Oak Trace, the senior living community in Downers Grove