Tinplate was used in the manufacture of toys beginning in the mid-19th
century. The invention of sheet metal stamping machines in 1815 allowed for
the mass production of inexpensive toys. Tin toys were made from thin
sheets of steel plated with tin, hence the name tinplate. Tin toys were a cheap
and durable substitute for wooden toys. The toys were originally assembled
and painted by hand. Spring-activated tin toys originated in Germany in the
1850s.
German Dominance:
Germany was a major player in the early 1900s, known for high-quality
mechanical tin toys, while France and England also had
notable factories.
US Rise:
The US gained prominence after World War I, particu-
larly in the 1920s, fuelled by anti-German sentiment and
eventually becoming the leading market.
Japanese Emergence:
Post-WWII, with American support, Japan became a major tin toy exporter,
producing a wide range of items, including robots and other popular
characters.
Decline:
While popular for a time, tin toys eventually declined in popularity due to
factors like the rise of other materials (like plastics), changing consumer
preferences, and the fragility of tinplate.