Some toy brands transcend generations. That’s actually pretty rare as many toy sensations burn bright, then flame out.

Cabbage Patch Kids, for example, were so big they led to fights in stores, but they barely exist now. The same can be said of pogs, those rubber bracelets every kid had to have, and Beanie Babies.

People used to hoard Beanie Babies, thinking that they were an actual investment. And, they proved to be, the way that buying Enron shares was technically an investment.

Most toy sensations tend to be a lot more like Furby, than enduring brands that parents share with their children. There are a lot more Zhu Zhu Pets than there are Legos, Mr. Potato Heads, and other brands that stand the test of time,

When a company has an enduring toy brand, that’s usually enough to keep it healthy financially no matter what trends are happening. Barbie, for example, has seen some ups and downs in popularity, but sales have always helped keep Mattel in a strong financial position.

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Now, however, the producer of some of the best-known toy brands — toys that transcend generations — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

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