Transformers Generation 1

Transformers: Generation 1 (1984-1992)

The first Transformers toys were brought together from the different transforming robot toylines from Takara, notably the Diaclone and Micro Change (Microman) series.

Hasbro acquired the rights to sell them in the United States but, instead of selling them as their original names, they were rebranded as "Transformers".

The first two years consisted primarily of reusing the Diaclone/Micro Change molds.

Some of the models from the Diaclone line still have the pilot's seat in their design.

The tagline to the Transformers is "More than meets the eye!" The earliest toys had some parts made of die-cast metal, which were eventually phased out.
It was in 1986, the third year, when Takara began designing new original models specifically for the Transformers brand, which Takara had also begun to market in Japan, and Hasbro continued to market internationally.

At this time, the line expanded to include Aerialbots, Dinobots,Predacons,Constructions, and Headmasters, as well as Autobots and Decepticons.

This trend continued until the toyline's demise in 1990.
In 1989, the entire line became limited to Pretenders and Micromasters. For the first time, Transformers received a new design for their title logo.

But this was also regarded by many as a time of a death in creativity and regarded as the lowest point in the toyline's history.

1990 saw the last American burst with the release of more Micromaster characters and the introduction of the Action Masters, Transformers who cannot transform.

The Action Master line was criticized, although it had a few defenders.

This would be the last Transformers output in the US until 1992.
While Transformers ended poorly for the US market, the same can not be said for the UK, Canada and Japan markets as they went on to produce their own continuing series between 1991 to 1993, despite the UK market in particular missing a substantial amount of figures prominent in the comics and animated series throughout the line's run. Each country produced their own continuity.

The UK and Canada continued with new Action Master figures and introduced the Turbo Masters and Predators.

Japan continued with the Micromasters concept.
The 1992 and 1993 European and Canadian releases make up what is often called "Generation 1.5".

These toys are similar in design to the Generation 2 Transformers, having lightpipe eyes, and pastel colors.

The 1993 European figures used the G2 faction symbols which Hasbro UK designed because their licence on the G1 symbols had expired.

The 1993 figures were repackaged for European G2 release in 1994, and three subgroup molds got used in the US G2 line.
The term Generation 1 is a retronym; the series was simply known as "Transformers" until the release of the Generation 2 series. However, the term has become semi-official, as both Hasbro and Takara have referred to this era as "Generation 1".

New characters are still occasionally added to the line, primarily by E-hobby.

(Examples: Sunstorm,Hauler,Detritus, etc.) Large-scale production of new characters in this line ended with the onset of Generation 2.