As a Toy Shop owner and as a parent there are few toy concepts that are massively successful in the US but don’t gather the same fervor in Ireland.
Radio Flyer ATW
However the Radio Flyer Pull Along Carts are one. Massively popular in the US but haven’t really caught on here or in The UK.
The concept is a metal wagon that is pulled by child or parent, big enough for two children to fit in.
US blogs suggest that on the Eastern seaboard of the US, the Radio Flyer Wagons are a parenting badge of honor. Where the more battered and customised the cart, the more street kudos is earned.
The lesson to learn as a consumer is that these carts last a long time and families love them.
The Radio Flyer Wagons have been around for decades. Easily identified by their iconic bright red colour and matt black wheels. Their long life is due to the quality of metal materials and production. In fact they are so long lasting that once children get too big for the wagon, the wagons make a great gardening wheelbarrow for parents.
The company has been manufacturing ride on carts for nearly a century. The story of Antonio Pasin, the inspiring guy who started the company, is simply touching. A cabinetmaker from Venice in Italy, he emigrated to Chicago in 1917 at the tender age of 16. Too young to get a mainstream job, he firstly got a job making piano carcasses.
Then with little English he started out constructing wooden carts in a one room shed. Demand outstripped supply while at the same time he was fascinated by the new Ford Motor Company metal fabrication techniques. These two factors resulted in moving to a larger factory in 1927 but using modern sheet metal techniques. It really hasn’t changed much since.
A few minor changes have occurred in the last 90 years, mostly for added safety…
- Side walls have increased in height,
- Extra-long handle was added for easier pulling,
- The size of the shell has been increased to accommodate more than 1 child,
- Controlled turning to prevent tipping.
Radio Flyer Safe Turning Mechanism
Keep an eye out for Radio Flyers in family centric US movies. I can think of “The Parent Trap”, “Lean on Me”, nearly every version of “Little Rascals”and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Can you think of others ?
Tags: Garden Carts, Garden Fun, outdoor toys, toys