Originally the nerf product first created in 1969 was a polyurethane foam ball it was named "The worlds first indoor ball"
In 1972 the Nerf football was created
In 1989 Nerf debuted the "blast-a-ball", small pinkish cannons which fired golfball size foam projectiles
In 1990 the introduction of the Nerf bow and arrow cemented the brands reputation for producing toy guns and weapons
In the 1990s nerf really expanded its products to firing missles, balls, and suction cup darts
In 2010 business week said nerf had an annual revenue of $250 million
Controversies
In 2008 Nerf had to recall the N-Strike Recon Blaster after there were 50 reports of kids sustaining injuries while firing the gun. The guns firing mechanism was reported to catch the users skin when firing, which lead to brusises, and cuts on kids faces, chests and necks.
Modern Day
One of Hasbro's more modern Nerf guns, the N-Strike Strongarm, is also its bestseller.
Nerf is now the leading brand for Hasbro, bringing in a susbtantially greater revenue than any other Hasbro brand.