What popular children plaything, originally created as a wallpaper cleaning compound, was invented by Joe McVicker in 1956?

Introduction / Context:
Many famous toys have surprising origins. Some began as industrial or household products and were later reimagined as children playthings. This question asks about a soft modelling compound invented by Joe McVicker in 1956 that became a popular toy in homes and schools worldwide.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The inventor is Joe McVicker.
• The year mentioned is 1956.
• The product is a plaything for children, originally linked to wallpaper cleaning.
• The options list several well known mid twentieth century toys.

Concept / Approach:
Play-Doh is a soft, colourful modelling compound used by children to shape and create simple objects. It was originally developed as a wallpaper cleaning paste, but Joe McVicker and his family discovered that children enjoyed playing with it. They rebranded it as a toy in the mid nineteen fifties. Therefore, when Joe McVicker and 1956 appear in a question, Play-Doh is the correct association.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise Joe McVicker as a name associated with the toy industry rather than heavy engineering or electronics. Step 2: Recall that Play-Doh began as a non toxic, reusable modelling compound that children could shape and reshape many times. Step 3: Link the year 1956 with the commercial launch of Play-Doh as a children product. Step 4: Among the options given, Play-Doh clearly matches this description and is therefore the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick way to check is to remember that Silly Putty and Etch-A-Sketch have different inventors and are typically associated with different storylines. Silly Putty relates to synthetic rubber experiments and Etch-A-Sketch relates to a drawing screen device, not wallpaper cleaning paste. Play-Doh is consistently described in toy histories as turning from cleaning paste into a modelling compound, confirming that it fits the Joe McVicker clue.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Silly Putty: A stretchy bouncing material developed from synthetic rubber experiments, not from wallpaper cleaning paste and not by Joe McVicker.
• Etch-A-Sketch: A mechanical drawing toy involving a grey screen and knobs, invented by a different designer.
• Lite-Brite: A pegboard light toy, not a soft modelling compound.
• Mr. Potato Head: A toy with plastic body parts attached to a potato or plastic base, not created by Joe McVicker.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up mid twentieth century toys because they appeared in similar time periods and are all popular. Another pitfall is to recall only the playful modelling aspect and confuse Play-Doh with Silly Putty. To avoid this, remember the specific story that Play-Doh came from wallpaper cleaning paste and that Joe McVicker name is linked strongly with this product.

Final Answer:
The toy invented by Joe McVicker in 1956 is Play-Doh.