Welcome to StructoToys.com!
The official website for collectors and fans of the world's finest pressed steel toys
Celebrating "Making Men of Boys" for over 60 years
STRUCTO- THE EARLY YEARS
It has been written in toy collecting publications and actual company literature alike that Structo began producing toys as early as 1908; hence the production of the 1958 limited edition gold-plated Cadillac and print advertising that proclaimed the celebration of "50 Years of Progress Producing Quality Toys".
For the purposes of this site, I have traced Structo's toy making back to 1915 with the production of its structural "model building sets"- which designs were sold to British toy maker, Meccano in 1918. These builder sets were eventually marketed in the United States as "Erector Sets" by A.C. Gilbert- now a household name.
By late 1918 and early 1919, Structo had all but abandoned the production of these building sets and had launched a new and revolutionary line of "Auto-Builder Outfits", which included a limited but very impressive selection of automobiles, trucks and tractors. By late 1920 and into 1921, these models and a few new ones were also being offered in a factory assembled "Ready Built" line.
For for the next 55 years, Structo continued to be innovators in the toy making industry, changing with the times, surviving not only the Great Depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's but also World War II in the early to mid-1940's. This site will attempt to showcase the innovative designs and creative marketing that allowed this company to remain one of the most popular toy makers of all time.
It has been written in toy collecting publications and actual company literature alike that Structo began producing toys as early as 1908; hence the production of the 1958 limited edition gold-plated Cadillac and print advertising that proclaimed the celebration of "50 Years of Progress Producing Quality Toys".
For the purposes of this site, I have traced Structo's toy making back to 1915 with the production of its structural "model building sets"- which designs were sold to British toy maker, Meccano in 1918. These builder sets were eventually marketed in the United States as "Erector Sets" by A.C. Gilbert- now a household name.
By late 1918 and early 1919, Structo had all but abandoned the production of these building sets and had launched a new and revolutionary line of "Auto-Builder Outfits", which included a limited but very impressive selection of automobiles, trucks and tractors. By late 1920 and into 1921, these models and a few new ones were also being offered in a factory assembled "Ready Built" line.
For for the next 55 years, Structo continued to be innovators in the toy making industry, changing with the times, surviving not only the Great Depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's but also World War II in the early to mid-1940's. This site will attempt to showcase the innovative designs and creative marketing that allowed this company to remain one of the most popular toy makers of all time.
