O’Donnell’s boost was enough to land Tickle Me Elmo at the No. 13 spot on Toy Book’s “What’s Hot” list of the 15 hottest toys of 1996. And from there, the momentum built rapidly.

Repurposed, reprogrammed and removed of their skin, 30 of last season's 'Tickle Me Elmo' toys move in unison in a project by resident artist Adrianne Wortzel, depicting Napoleon’s misguided ...