Matchbox

Matchbox is a popular brand of toy vehicles that was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, and is now owned by Mattel, Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997. The brand was given its name because the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar in style and size to those in which matches were sold. The brand has also encompassed a broad range of toys including larger scale die-cast models, plastic model kits, and action figures.

History

Matchbox was created in 1953 by Lesney Products, a British manufacturing company founded in 1947 by Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith. The company's name was a portmanteau of the founders' first names ("Les" and "Rodney"). The first vehicle produced was a road roller based on a Dinky model. The idea for the Matchbox name came from the packaging. Jack Odell, a partner in Lesney Products, designed a toy that could fit into a matchbox, thus sparking the idea to sell the models in replica matchboxes — a concept that had a huge impact on the toy industry.

Products

Over the years, Matchbox has produced thousands of different model cars and vehicles. The brand's most popular line is the 1-75 series, which was launched in 1953 and consists of 75 different vehicles. Other notable lines include the Models of Yesteryear, a line of classic cars and vehicles; and the Superfast line, which was introduced in 1969 to compete with Hot Wheels, another popular toy car brand.

Ownership

In 1982, Lesney Products filed for bankruptcy, and the Matchbox brand was bought by Universal Toys. In 1992, the brand was acquired by Tyco Toys, and then by Mattel, Inc in 1997, which also owns the rival Hot Wheels brand.

See also

• Hot Wheels
• Die-cast toy
• List of Matchbox series

Matchbox

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