The First Model Cars
Models were first produced from tin plates in a crudely cut fashion. They were then stamped with a metal stamping machine into shape. Most tin plates were made in Europe. The first die cast metal models had more detail, but usually came in one color. The wheels were made of predominately white rubber. The smaller scales had black cast metal wheels. The era was just before World War I.
A hackney carriage and Hansom carriage are the same as a cab. Some of the first die cast modes of transportation were horseless carriages. One die cast model depicts a stoop, or place to stand behind the carriage. A person sits inside the carriage, and the carriage is drawn by a horse. The wheels are of two varieties: wood and metal. Cabs were used in China, Australia, Egypt, and the United States. The later version is the taxicab. The Kenton touring car is made from cast iron and was produced with or without rear seat passengers. A driver and a passenger were present, and the wheels were either embossed, or spoked.
About the time World War I began, die casting began. The first stage is production takes skilled individuals to research the design, scale, tooling, pattern, and develop the second part of the work. These workers may not cut costs in any way, for the design and pattern are what will sell the product. The second stage is conducted by semi-skilled individuals who mass produce, paint, assemble, package, and ship the completed vehicle. Any expenses that can be saved by these workers will be saved.
After the drawings are approved, a wooden mockup is made. Scaled models parts may look out of place because of the much smaller size. The necessity to enlarge support parts changes the scale of the part, not the overall size of the car. For instance, a door latch may need to be larger in order to work, or a window support may need to be larger in order to support the roof. It is very important at this stage to make sure all parts look right, and that all parts work properly. The planning is precise because the hot metal and air need to be cooled by water at the pre-planned stages in order to attach smaller parts. In the end, this brass molded die, or tool if you will, is now of two parts, with a seam. The seams are cleaned then the model is ready for paint and assembly. Newer die cast models as well as centrifugal casting is made of one piece units. Decals are usually applied after the sale by the purchaser.
Tootsie toys opened in Illinois in 1906, selling cars with a metal body and metal axle. As they were most probably the first to manufacture models using die cast mass production, they sold the car that has sold the most models throughout time, the Ford Model T. Over 15 million models of this one vehicle have been sold, but it still took until the 1930s to produce chrome and multiple colors on models.
Solido has an international market by catering to models of other countries as well as America. Solido started making French, German, and Italian models. The first company to create a standard that was followed for approximately 45 years, the 1/43rd scale. The detail was very accurate, and the decals were properly placed. This enabled the collector to have an exact replica, but allowed for no personality of the collector to appear by placing decals in personally selected places.
A hackney carriage and Hansom carriage are the same as a cab. Some of the first die cast modes of transportation were horseless carriages. One die cast model depicts a stoop, or place to stand behind the carriage. A person sits inside the carriage, and the carriage is drawn by a horse. The wheels are of two varieties: wood and metal. Cabs were used in China, Australia, Egypt, and the United States. The later version is the taxicab. The Kenton touring car is made from cast iron and was produced with or without rear seat passengers. A driver and a passenger were present, and the wheels were either embossed, or spoked.
About the time World War I began, die casting began. The first stage is production takes skilled individuals to research the design, scale, tooling, pattern, and develop the second part of the work. These workers may not cut costs in any way, for the design and pattern are what will sell the product. The second stage is conducted by semi-skilled individuals who mass produce, paint, assemble, package, and ship the completed vehicle. Any expenses that can be saved by these workers will be saved.
After the drawings are approved, a wooden mockup is made. Scaled models parts may look out of place because of the much smaller size. The necessity to enlarge support parts changes the scale of the part, not the overall size of the car. For instance, a door latch may need to be larger in order to work, or a window support may need to be larger in order to support the roof. It is very important at this stage to make sure all parts look right, and that all parts work properly. The planning is precise because the hot metal and air need to be cooled by water at the pre-planned stages in order to attach smaller parts. In the end, this brass molded die, or tool if you will, is now of two parts, with a seam. The seams are cleaned then the model is ready for paint and assembly. Newer die cast models as well as centrifugal casting is made of one piece units. Decals are usually applied after the sale by the purchaser.
Tootsie toys opened in Illinois in 1906, selling cars with a metal body and metal axle. As they were most probably the first to manufacture models using die cast mass production, they sold the car that has sold the most models throughout time, the Ford Model T. Over 15 million models of this one vehicle have been sold, but it still took until the 1930s to produce chrome and multiple colors on models.
Solido has an international market by catering to models of other countries as well as America. Solido started making French, German, and Italian models. The first company to create a standard that was followed for approximately 45 years, the 1/43rd scale. The detail was very accurate, and the decals were properly placed. This enabled the collector to have an exact replica, but allowed for no personality of the collector to appear by placing decals in personally selected places.
