Toys · 1928
Playtime in the Roaring Twenties
In 1928, prosperity and industrial innovation transformed the toy industry into a realm of mass-produced wonder. From metal die-cast vehicles to the birth of iconic playground crazes, children across the globe enjoyed an unprecedented golden age of creative play.
- Pedro Flores | Playground Craze | USA
Flores Yo-Yo
Pedro Flores opened his Santa Barbara toy factory in 1928, introducing the looped-string trick yo-yo that sparked a massive national craze.
- William Henry Storey | Board Game | UK
Sorry! Board Game
Patented in England in 1928, this classic slide-and-pursuit game pitted players against each other in a tense race to get their pawns home.
- Radio Steel & Mfg. | Outdoor Toy | USA
Radio Flyer Steel Wagon
Antonio Pasin adopted steel mass-production methods and radio-inspired branding in 1928, turning red wagons into an enduring childhood staple.
- Dowst Manufacturing | Toy Vehicles | USA
Tootsietoy Die-Cast Cars
Dowst Manufacturing dominated the metal toy market in 1928 with intricate miniature die-cast cars, trucks, and airplanes.
- A. C. Gilbert Co. | Construction | USA
A. C. Gilbert Erector Set
Young builders in 1928 assembled working bridges, towers, and motorized machinery using steel girders, nuts, and bolts.
- Madame Alexander | Dolls | USA
Madame Alexander Cloth Dolls
Inspired by classic literature, Beatrice Alexander's high-quality handcrafted cloth dolls brought beloved storybook characters to nursery rooms.
- The Toy Tinkers | Construction | USA
Tinkertoy
Featuring iconic wooden spools and wooden rods, Tinkertoy remained one of the best-selling creative play sets of 1928.
- Fleer Chewing Gum Co. | Craze | USA
Dubble Bubble Gum
Invented by Walter Diemer in 1928, this iconic pink gum became an instant playground sensation as kids competed to blow the biggest bubbles.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?