HSP Nature Toys was started in 1993 by the late Richard M. Ray, publisher of the Ortho Lawn & Garden series. HSP's first kit, The Root-Vue Farm, generated immediate interest and was awarded an Oppenheim Gold Seal as one of the best new toy products. It has also won awards by Parent's Choice and Dr. Toy, who gave it a "socially responsible" toy award. Root-Vue has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America and the CBS Early Show! In early 1995, Dick's son Richard, with his wife Marjorie, joined the company and developed Worm-Vue Wonders, an underground worm viewing unit so that kids could get to know these super soil scientists!