Theora Design

Theora Design is an Israeli family business that has become a world leader in the invention and design of toys, games, activities, crafts, dolls, electronic games and novelties. Founded in 1965 in Tel Aviv by Theo and Ora Coster, the company began under the name Matat (Hebrew for "gift"), creating novelties given away free to Israeli customers with other purchases. One early invention was a popsicle stick that doubled as a construction toy; branded ICETIX and distributed by Borden Dairy in the USA, it became a worldwide success with 12 billion sticks produced over 11 years. That success allowed Theora to pursue more sophisticated games and toys in the 1970s, some of which remain on the market. The name was changed to Theora (Theo + Ora). In 1981 and 1993 respectively, sons Boaz and Gideon Coster joined the creation and development team, specializing in marketing and advanced technologies; Boaz's wife Aliza Coster, a CPA, manages finances. Theora has created over 189 concepts licensed to manufacturers worldwide, including Guess Who? (Hasbro). The company collaborates with top Israeli toy and game inventors and encourages young entrepreneurs. Recent products include Triggle, Guess Who Magnetic Travel, Tonieplay Guess Who? Monster Mysteries Game, Guess Who NFL Edition, and Spinny Pins (with Jeannie Gadish and Shirli Bel). Theora remains a private, family-owned company headquartered in Tel Aviv.

Theora Design was founded in 1965 in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Theo and Ora Coster under the original name Matat (Hebrew for "gift"). The company initially created novelties given away free to Israeli customers with other purchases. One early invention was a unique popsicle/ice-cream stick that was also a construction toy. That creation, ICETIX, became a huge success worldwide, especially in the USA, distributed by Borden Dairy, where 12 billion sticks were produced over 11 years. This success enabled Theora to pursue a wide range of more sophisticated ideas for various games and toys in the 1970s, some of which are still on the market. At that time the name Matat was changed to Theora (Theora = Theo + Ora). In 1981 and 1993 respectively, Ora and Theo's sons, Boaz and Gideon, joined the creation and development team, specializing in marketing and advanced technologies. Boaz's wife Aliza Coster, a CPA, manages the finances. In addition to its own exclusive creations, Theora collaborates on joint projects with top Israeli toy and game inventors and also encourages young and promising entrepreneurs to enter the marketplace. To date, Theora has created over 189 different concepts that have been licensed to manufacturers the world over, many of which have become household names, including Guess Who? (Hasbro). Recent products include Triggle, Guess Who Magnetic Travel, Tonieplay Guess Who? Monster Mysteries Game, Guess Who NFL Edition, and Spinny Pins (in cooperation with Jeannie Gadish and Shirli Bel). The company remains a private family business headquartered in Tel Aviv.

• 1993

  Son Gideon Coster joined the creation and development team.

• 1981

  Son Boaz Coster joined the creation and development team.

• 1970

  Name changed from Matat to Theora (Theo + Ora); expanded into more sophisticated games and toys.

• 1965

  Founded in Tel Aviv by Theo and Ora Coster under the name Matat.

World leader in toy and game invention and design; family business creating licensed concepts for global manufacturers.

• ICETIX

  Popsicle stick that doubles as a construction toy; distributed by Borden Dairy in the USA; 12 billion produced over 11 years.

• Guess Who?

  Hasbro's classic bestseller; eliminate wrong faces to guess the opponent's hidden card.

• Triggle

  Hexagonal board covered with pins; players place elastic bands to create triangles.

• Guess Who Magnetic Travel

  Travel version of Guess Who? with magnetic pieces.

• Guess Who NFL Edition

  NFL-themed edition of Guess Who?.

• Spinny Pins

  Five colorful textured pins with weighted bases that wobble; sort into a tilted bowl with hidden chime. In cooperation with Jeannie Gadish and Shirli Bel.

1. 1Theoradesign homepagetheoradesign.com
2. 2about ustheoradesign.com
3. 3מי אנחנוtheoradesign.com
4. 4recent-productstheoradesign.com
5. 5Wikidata: Theora Designwikidata.org