| Radio Flyer Timeline |
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This was a decade of unparalleled uncertainty for the entire world.
For America, the thirties lasted from the Great Depression's Black Tuesday to
the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. In 1930, the company is renamed Radio Steel
& Manufacturing from Liberty Coaster Manufacturing, Co. and is already the
world's largest producer of toy coaster wagons. With new designs for its now classic
wagons, Radio Flyer now featured them to the public with a series of brochures
and trade shows.
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Antonio Pasin's wagons captured the spirit of the times. He named his first steel
wagon the Radio Flyer, after his fascination with the invention of the radio by
fellow Italian, Guglielmo Marconi; and Flyer, which reflected his wonderment of
flight. |
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Chicago was the host of the World's Fair, Century of Progress, in 1933. Radio
Steel was asked to be a part of the celebration. Here are the official seals,
a photograph of the World's Fair 45' tall Coaster Boy and an article from the
Chicago Tribune. The Coaster Boy was one of the most popular exhibits and offered
miniatures for 25 cents. |
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Here is a glimpse into the past with one of the very first brochures and
advertisements featuring the now classic red wagon, and the "Streak-O-Lite", the
company's first specialty wagon modeled after the popular Zephyr Train. |
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| These promotional cards offered grocery patrons
a discount on the popular wagons when these cards were punched out.
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| The spectacular World's Fair exhibit made Radio
Flyer world famous. But it wasn't the only new idea to come out of the company
during the Depression. In the mid-30's the company introduced the Streak-O-Lite,
a coaster wagon that featured sleek styling inspired by the Zephyr streamline
trains, complete with control dials and working headlights. Pictured at left
is an early concept illustration for the Streak-O-Lite Wagon. |
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