Info Click Icon
|
The Tip is 'Keep eyes open' After reading an article about items made in America I thought about how many times I make purchases without thinking. I'm usually focused on budget and needs. Prior to reading this article on made in the USA products, I rarely thought about the importance of buying made in USA products. This helps create jobs in our country. Now I keep my eyes open and I am surprised how easy it is to find American products. It only takes a few seconds to look. Now I make a point when I am shopping to search for made in America brands. By doing so, I'm able to identify more and more what products are made in America. Even with my eyes open to made in USA I can get discouraged. Sometimes store clerks don't know the country of origin which can be frustrating. If this happens use your eyes to find the origin information yourself. Look at the labels and when you find a Made in USA product tell the clerk so the next time they are asked they will know. Also, when the label is not easily seen I use the other made in America buying tips to help me find made in USA. If the store doesn't carry what you are looking for, use Made in America Secrets to find it and tell the manager about your experience at their store. When enough people are asking for made in the USA products, more stores will begin to carry products that are made here. This technique does work. I also pick and choose the stores I visit. I do this because I have found that some stores are made in America friendly while others are not. Keep your eyes open for the made in USA label and pretty soon you will be able to identify which products are made in the USA. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by All American Toy For future releases please send in your email address along with any suggestions for new trucks. Thank you for your interest in the All American Toy Co. toytrx@msn.com History Page since 1947! 1947 Ad 1947 Ad The All American Toy Company was founded in 1947 by Clay and Beth Steinke of Salem, Oregon. The company started when Clay thought that a large, heavy duty toy truck was needed, that could be played with for years and years and still hold together. He decided on using the late 1940's era Ford cabs as the basis for his truck, and developed a means of steering through the hood of the cab using a brass air horn. This became known as the 'Air Horn Steering', which not only made the toy truly unique, but very popular with its customers. With a heavy cast Aluminum cab, rugged steel frame, walking beam suspension and rubber tires, the company developed the finest toy log truck ever mass produced. The first cabs were sand cast, and soon the demand was so high for these toys that the company had dies fabricated in the late 40's, to increase production and consistency in quality. 1953 Catalog Back The first truck issued was the famous log truck named the Timber Toter and retailed for $19.95. These were 1/12th scale, and measured 36 inches long and weighed a heavy 10 pounds! The truck was designed with quality, durability and a high level of 'playability' in mind. Over the next decade the company produced a number of different styles to go with the Ford cab, and in the mid 1950's the company finally succumbed to lower priced toys. 1953 Catalog Front Quality was never considered as a compromise to price. Fortunately, many of these trucks and the print advertising remain intact, which can be viewed at our showroom in Salem. In May of 1990 Bill Hellie and his son Chip purchased the company from the founders and produced three limited editions. They produced 15 Bales and Brady Tow Trucks, 8 Tankers and 7 log trucks, using up the remaining original stock. Log Trailer Die Then a toy collector by the name of Patrick Russell, through a turn of events, struck a deal to obtain the company and dies in May of 1992. The dies were cracked and rusted shut. There was much concern over whether the dies would even be able to be opened, and used ever again. Patrick found the highest quality machinists and die companies in the Pacific Northwest. By September 17, 1992, after buckets of penetrating oil, and much personal effort by the employees of the die company, the dies were producing again. The company now only produces very limited runs of this truck. Log Trailer Die Both Clay and Beth Steinke, along with a few of the machinists who worked on the trucks were involved in this process, and provided insight into the company history and philosophy of quality. In January of 1997, the All American Toy Company released their first all new toy truck. With the aid of family and friends, Patrick created a new die for a 1/16th scale 1947 Kenworth 521, more commonly known as the 'narrow nose' Kenworth. These are also only produced in very limited edition runs, and in keeping with the company tradition, use rubber tires and all metal parts. Patrick Russell with 1st 10 limited editions in '96 Finally as an added touch in tribute to the founders, Patrick designed a means whereby the single air horn on the top of the cab recreates the famous 'Air Horn Steering!' Shortly thereafter both Clay and Beth Steinke passed away. Both the Steinke's, and numerous employees of the original company provided insight into the history, and were enthusiastic to offer any guidance in its resurrection. The first truck produced was a Founders Edition Log Truck, with # 92 going to Clay and Beth as a means of thanks. The All American Toy Company is still headquartered in Salem Oregon, and owned and operated by Patrick Russell. Visitors are welcome, but it is suggested you call ahead. |
|