TootsieToy Prehistorics update 8/12/04

Tootsietoy, America's oldest toy company and a division of Strombecker Corp. began in 1876 as the National Laundry Journal trade paper and is still in bussiness.  American's oldest toy company registered the name Tootsietoy, adopted from founder Charles O. Dowst's granddaughter Tootsie, in 1924.   The Journal was being published on the west side of Chicago by Dowst Brothers Company when Samuel Dowst went to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and saw was a Mergenthaler Linotype machine that could cast lines of type as well as mass-produce the die-cast collar buttons, cuff links, and other laundry accessories that Dowst Brothers already  made.  This provided the opportunity to develop new products and new outlets.  First came trinkets for Cracker Jack and penny candy prizes.  Next came flat iron charms as premiums for the Flat Iron Laundry Company.  These items later became famous markers, along with other charms, for the Parker Brothers game Monopoly.  Currently Tootsie Toy also markets recast Nabisco and Ajax dinosaurs in addition to its trade mark hollow sandbox figures.

Giant Mighty Monsters

Included in Dinosaur play sets from various companies, as novelties.  Still being sold by TootsieToy so I think the molds are still around.  The animals came in a variety of colors.  They are hollow and toothy.  A favorite sandbox toy to this day.

Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Brontosaurus, Dimetrodon, Moschops, and Tyrannosaurus rex

Brontosaurus submitted by Rich Fulton.

Moschops submitted by Rich Fulton.

Stegosaurus

Triceratops  submitted by Rich Fulton.

Tyrannosaurus  submitted by Rich Fulton.

Giant Mighty Monsters 2

These don't seem to be in production currently although recasts did show up a few years ago.

Dinohyus

Smilodon

Brontotherium

Giant Bison

Mammoth

Uintatherium

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