Classic Toys | Return of the Retro Robot
Kids in the 1950s and 60s didn’t have computers or smartphones and tablets. The only way they could get in touch with electronic tech is by watching TV shows, talking about space travel or by playing with the coolest new release toys. One of the most desired toys of this era was the toy robot.
Kids in the 1950s and 60s didn’t have computers or smartphones and tablets. The only way they could get in touch with electronic tech is by watching TV shows, talking about space travel or by playing with the coolest new release toys. One of the most desired toys of this era was the toy robot.
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Of course, we are not talking about our modern day sci-fi robots, complete with artificial intelligence, but simple, tin-litho robots with simple wind-up mechanisms. The first tin toy robot to be made is believed to be the yellow, box-like Robot Lilliput from Japan. Lilliput was always thought to date from the 1930’s, but it is now believed that he was actually made after the war, around the mid-1940’s.
The next robot to make an appearance, was the late 1940's Atomic Robot Man, also born in Japan. This robot was given out as a promotional item at the New York Sci-fi convention in 1950. The box for Atomic Robot Man showed a scene of the robot marching through a decimated city, complete with an atomic mushroom cloud.
Battery operated robots became the next big craze, with the release of the movies Forbidden Planet, introducing Robert the Robot in 1956, The Day the Earth Stood Still in 1952, and finally by the launch of Sputnik in 1957. Robert the Robot ended up becoming the most re-produced robot ever, now coming in multiple variations including Planet Robot, Robby The Robot or the simpler named Mechanized Robot.
It turns out that these retro toy robots are still one of the most highly desired toys by kids. In the last few years, we have witnessed the increased interest in almost everything retro from clockwork wind-up robots to retro toy cars. Everyone just loves vintage and retro everything!
With a retro robot, children experience many play related benefits. For instance, they are more physically active, using their imagination to set up whole planets for robot destruction and decimation. Kids can now go a step further, by reenacting their own robot show, for example with Clockwork Soldier’s Robot Puppets. With this amazing craft pack, children can create their own robots; stimulating their creativity too.
When we say retro robots, we just don't mean the robots themselves, we mean every toy that is inspired by this science fiction theme. For instance, the Robot Jigsaw Puzzle is a robot-themed puzzle. This is one of those classic toys that are here to support children’s cognitive development. By finding different pieces of the puzzle, children can create a beautiful image that depicts one of the most well-known robot toys. The toy contains just 24 pieces which means that even small children can finish it in a relatively short period of time. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the puzzle is not challenging. On the contrary, there are some parts where placing the right pieces can be very tricky indeed!
Space Robots is a retro toy that contains three tin robots, which as the name suggests come from a different planet. Or maybe they were sent to space? In any case, this is one of those toys that promises many hours of fun and entertainment. The robots spin and roll, changing directions whenever they hit an obstacle.
If you are interested in a classic robot toy, you can’t go wrong with High Wheel Robot. This old-school toy features windup walking and it was inspired by the popular toy from the 1960s of the same name.
Origami is a popular paper folding technique that originates from Japan. If you want to introduce this technique to your children early, you should consider our Spacecraft Robot Origami. This set comes with five nicely illustrated cards and an instruction booklet. With the help of these cards, your kid (with or without your help) can create a unique spacecraft and imagine how space exploration would look like.
Finally, if you want to revive the times that most people have forgotten, then you can check out our Robot Hands Temporary Tattoos, which turn the hands of your children into fun robots. This set comes with 8 unique robot tattoos that are easy to put on and remove and will guarantee hours of imaginative fun and storytelling!
Retro robots are guaranteed to be loved by generations to come, in whichever form they take - a timeless classic and fun for everyone!
Traditional Toys from The Vintage Toy Box
We want boys and girls to enjoy their toys,
With festive times filled with oodles of joy,
So this year give them delights in their socks,
And get your toys at The Vintage Toy Box!
We have gifts all children will love,
Inside our magnificent treasure trove,
We have so many aisles to come and explore,
With toys and games and so much more.
With so many different kinds of toys,
For little girls and little boys,
From circus to rockets and dinosaurs too,
Oh that would be a hullabaloo!
It's the spirit of Christmas we all desire,
A sense of nostalgia that takes us higher,
Traditional toys are the kind to buy;
So come on in and give them a try.
When we compare gifts of our modern day,
With simple toys that are fun to play,
You'll see they last longer than most toys now,
Developing more creativity than time will allow.
We want boys and girls to enjoy their toys,
With festive times filled with oodles of joy,
So this year give them delights in their socks,
And get your toys at The Vintage Toy Box!
Classic Toys | Tin Toys - A Step Back Through Time
Some of the most collectible toys in the world are old tin toys. Tin toys are made out of tinplate and often motorised and colourfully painted to resemble characters or vehicles, such as toy trains, cars, and other motorised vehicles.
Some of the most collectible toys in the world are old tin toys. Tin toys are made out of tinplate and often motorised and colourfully painted to resemble characters or vehicles, such as toy trains, cars, and other motorised vehicles.
Many of the early tinplate toy makers were based in Germany with companies such as Bing & Schoenner and Issmayer being leaders in their industry in the 1860s through to the early 1900s.
Germany remained the major producer of tin toys into the early 20th century. The most famous manufacturer being Ernst Paul Lehmann, who produced such wonderful tin toys in Brandenberg, Germany from the 1880s to the 1930s. Lehmann today has a worldwide following of avid Lehmann tin toy collectors who often collaborate to track down rare toys from his vast collection.
France and England soon jumped onto the production of these popular toys, leading to a surge in what would become known as the “Penny Toy”, with thousands of tin toys flooding the market.
Production of tin toys in the United States only boomed much later, and it wasn’t until after World War I, when consumers were less enthusiastic about buying German products that the US found its way. Production soon however overtook that of their European counterparts, with cheap & plentiful resources contributing towards more favourable manufacturing costs.
Louis Marx & Company was the largest American tin toy manufacturer during this era, operating from 1919 to 1978. Marx produced a huge number of tin toy designs, producing enormous amounts to keep prices down. The company produced so many designs that the toys themselves were often imprinted with the slogan, "One of the many Marx toys, have you all of them?". Toys included tinplate buildings, tin toys, tin soldiers, play sets, toy dinosaurs, mechanical toys, toy guns, action figures, dolls, doll houses, toy cars and trucks, and trains.
Due to the re-allocation of resources, the production of tin toys ceased during World War II, and many toy manufacturing factories were taken over for arms and munitions manufacture. Many shut down permanently and never went back into business after the war. Japan began producing enormous number of tin toys, and due to reduced competition in Europe soon became the world leader in tin toy manufacturing.
