Toys · 1900
Dawn of Electric Trains and Parlor Table Tennis
At the turn of the twentieth century, traditional craftsmanship met modern innovation in playrooms across the globe. From German bisque dolls and stone building blocks to early electric trains and the emerging craze of Ping-Pong, toys in 1900 reflected a rapidly industrializing world.
- 1900 | Lionel | USA
Lionel Electric Toy Train
Joshua Lionel Cowen created his first electric train, the 'Electric Tub', establishing a legendary brand in American model railroading.
- 1900 | J. Jaques & Son | UK
Jaques Ping-Pong Parlor Game
English toy maker Jaques trademarked the name Ping-Pong, sparking an international table tennis craze with celluloid balls and parchment paddles.
- 1900 | F. Ad. Richter & Cie | Germany
Richter's Anchor Stone Building Blocks
Crafted from quartz sand and linseed oil, these precision stone sets allowed children to construct intricate architectural models.
- 1900 | Armand Marseille | Germany
Armand Marseille Bisque Dolls
Featuring delicate porcelain heads and composite jointed bodies, these German dolls dominated the international market at the turn of the century.
- 1900 | Steiff | Germany
Steiff Plush Animals
Margarete Steiff's felt and plush animal workshop showcased its expanding menagerie of handcrafted stuffed toys at the 1900 Paris Exposition.
- 1900 | A. Schoenhut Company | USA
Schoenhut Toy Pianos
Philadelphia manufacturer Albert Schoenhut produced durable upright toy pianos utilizing steel sounding bars instead of fragile glass.
- 1900 | Ogden's | UK
Ogden's Guinea Gold Trading Cards
Cigarette packs contained popular photographic cards depicting Boer War military figures, stage actors, and world athletes.
- 1900 | Frank Hornby | UK
Hornby's Mechanics Made Easy Set
Frank Hornby finalized his patented system of perforated metal strips and brass gears, laying the groundwork for the Meccano construction brand.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?