Tamagotchi: History Of The 90s Digital Pet That Gained Worldwide Fame

Based on the article in Smithsonian Magazine, Yokoi’s toy idea was inspired by an advertisement in which a boy was not allowed to bring his pet turtle on vacation. As he had a dog, three cats, two parrots, and several beetles and other insects, the toy executive can relate to the boy he saw in the advertisement. This prompted him to create a virtual pet.