![]() During the Depression, the company came out with many new ideas to help its popularity. 1930s – Streak-O-Lite, American Beauty and The ZepĪccording to the Radio Flyer website, the spectacular World’s Fair exhibit made the Radio Flyer wagon world famous. The Radio Flyer wagon went through a number of designs throughout the years. Many kept their Radio Flyers for their own children, and while they may have deteriorated and rusted somewhat due to them being crafted from metal, they were loved non the less. Unlike other fad toys, the Radio Flyer Wagon could be played with for hours, and wasn’t tossed to the side once something better came along. For every girl.” The Radio Flyer became a typical Christmas gift as the slogan suggested for both boys and girls. With the now more affordable wagons, the slogan of the company became, “For every boy. This allowed him to increase production and lower the selling price. The wagons were crafted of high-quality steel and were an instant success. The Origin of the Name Radio FlyerĪntonio named the wagons Radio Flyer after his love of radio and air flight. As the company was passed from son to son, new products were released, noting that in 1994, to compete with other plastic toys on the market, the company began producing a line of plastic wagons. It wasn’t until 1987 though, that the company had its third and final name change and became known as Radio Flyer Inc to pay tribute to their most popular product. During 1977, safety improvements were made to their staple, the little red wagon to ensure children’s fingers could not be caught in the handle, and measures were added to prevent it from tipping over. From 1957, other products such as garden carts and then wheelbarrows were produced by the company. As time went on, the Radio Steel company produced different styled wagons and other children’s toys to meet demands and trends. After the end of the war, some years later, the company went back to producing their popular wagons. Like many companies, during the war, they would have to cease trade or alter trade, and in the case of the Radio Steel Company, they used their metal stamping techniques to craft blitz cans while wagon production was put on hold. Some of the better-known items produced by the Radio Steel and Manufacturing company during the 1930s include the 1934 Streak-O-Lite which had working headlights and a model known as the ‘Zep’ which was a more streamlined wagon. While the company mainly produced the well-known simple little red wagons during the 1930s, there were other items produced by the company. It was then that he crafted and introduced his first Radio Flyer.ĭuring the 1930s, the Radio Steel and Manufacturing company was producing at least 1,500 wagons a day. In 1930, Antonio changed the name of his company to Radio Steel and Manufacturing. Nearing close to 1930, he had refitted his factory to achieve metal stamping, and his company known as Liberty Coaster began producing stamped steel wagons. ![]() Why Liberty Coaster, you ask? He actually named the company after the Statue of Liberty, proud to have been welcomed into the United States.Īs his company continued to grow, Antonio began using technology similar to that of the automotive industry including metal stamping and mass production. While the ‘Radio Flyer’ brand is commonly associated with their much-loved wagons, the company also produced tricycles and other ride-on toys over the years and is still producing much-loved children’s toys today.īy 1923, Antonio’s business had grown to include several employees and that is when he started The Liberty Coaster Company. Antonio worked tirelessly and alone until 1923 when he was able to hire workers as his children’s wooden toys had gained some traction. During the day, he would market his work. He would work there at night crafting… you guessed it, wooden wagons. Only three years later after moving to the US, Antonio had saved enough money to open a small woodworking shop. Antonio came from a family of keen woodworkers and he grew up working with wood on a daily basis. Antonio Pasin came to the United States from Italy in 1914 at just sixteen years old. Radio Flyer Wagons and bikes really have a very interesting history.
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