The Iconic Little Red Wagon

I hope that when you were growing up you had a little red wagon to play with! Those wagons could be anything you imagined, a car, a boat, a prairie wagon, a circus train or hundreds of other make believe objects. More than likely that wagon was a Radio Flyer wagon although there were other toy wagon makers out there. The Radio Flyer wagon has stood the test of time and was nominated to the toy hall of fame in 1999.

The company was started by a sixteen-year-old Italian immigrant named Antonio Pasin. Pasin’s family sold their possessions including the family mule and immigrated to Chicago. Antonio worked during the day as a manual laborer and at night produced wooden wagons in a little shop where he rented wood working equipment.

Antonio’s wagon business was so successful that he founded the Liberty Coaster Company by 1923. He named the company after the Statue of Liberty he had seen while arriving in America. In 1930 he began producing the wagons out of stamped metal and sold them for $3 each. The company name was changed to the Radio Steel Manufacturing Company. Pasin wanted the name to sound modern like the new modern invention “the radio” that was now in most every American home. Even during the Great Depression, the company continued to do well and grow.

During World War II the company cut back wagon production to produce Blitz cans for the Army. When television became popular in the 1950’s wagon models were made in different colors and models reflecting shows like Mickey Mouse Club and Daniel Boone. The wagons also mimicked cars of the different eras with wheel and body styles that reflected the particular style of the day.

In 1987 the company’s name changed once more to Radio Flyer in honor of the iconic little red wagon although the company manufactures all kinds of toys now including bicycles and other ride on toys for children.

Radio Flyer is a part of the pop culture of this country and has appeared in such films as A Christmas Story, Radio Flyer and even as a “zonk” on Let’s Make a Deal. There are even sculptures around the country dedicated to this beloved toy including the “World’s Largest Wagon” which is nine times the size of the original wagon and weighs 15,000 pounds!

I guess I still play with my little red wagon even thought it is badly rusted, I use it to haul dirt and plants when I garden! Happy Collecting!

Jillinda Falen has been buying and selling antiques for over 30 years and is a licensed REALTOR and estate liquidation specialist. You can contact her through the Houston Home Journal or via email at jcfalen@gmail.com

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