Tonka Trucks - Whatever happened to Tonka Toys

1. Introduction
2. ORIGINS
3. QUALITY STEEL & REALISTIC DESIGN
4. COMPANY HISTORY & VIDEO GAMES
5. HALL OF FAME
6. Conclusion

Introduction:

ORIGINS

America’s fascination with trucks and toys has always been an integral part of good ol’ American culture. Toy trucks and cars have been a best seller ever since the concept hit the market.

A staple of boyhood. A standard of childhood. When it comes to toy trucks one company comes to mind, more specifically one word. Tonka.

A toy steam shovel inspired 3 local Minnesotans to build toy trucks. Therefore the birth of Tonka Trucks.

Featuring pressed steel, they went all out with their first “Crane and Clam” and sold over 30,000 units. Originally named Mound Metalcraft, its founders decided to pay homage to their dear Lake Minnetonka. Wreckers, fire trucks, semis, forklifts and dump trucks were then released following a brand new collection of pressed steel toys.

“Durability above All”

QUALITY STEEL & REALISTIC DESIGN

The company was originally praised for its deep rooted sense of realistic features in their toys. Also the product's durability made it an instant crowd pleaser. Especially for moms with ruff boys who would break most plastic and wooden toys on dirt, grass, sand, or concrete surfaces. Tonka's were built to last, durability above all. Tonka's first toy trucks were made from 20 gauge automotive steel since steel was so cheap during the world war two era.

The original Tonka trucks not only were made of steel, but they also came equipped with rubber wheels. This gave the truck a lot more added weight which made it more realistic. Now the wheels come in hard plastic.

Later, pickups and jeeps were introduced. As well as the all time selling iconic bright yellow mighty dump truck.

Erling Eklof designed a new company logo and modifications to Alvin Tesch designs. Tonka started selling metal toys as their primary business.

The word Tanka appeared on the logo which was Dakota Sioux for “big”.

From 47 all the way over to 57 the logo included an oval showing the red Tonka lettering with seagulls and waves. From 58 to 61 the colors were now white, red, and gray. And in 78 the oval was removed from the logo.

COMPANY HISTORY & VIDEO GAMES

Tonka purchased Kenner Parker and Palitoy which was a big UK toy company for a reasonable $555million. Too many loans left Tonka in debt after the Palitoy deal. Tonka was then acquired by Hasbro in 1991. Funrise Toys then began a licensing deal for manufacturing and distribution of Tonka. The deal ended in 2020. Basic Fun! toy company, acquired this

Tonka has also made a wide range of toys targeted at boys and girls. This includes dolls, figurines, stuffed animals, and video games. Tonka had a deal with Sega to help promote Sega’s Master System. Tonka was brought into the video games domain under Tonka Video Games. Since Tonka had no experience nor direction within the gaming console world, the project tanked and Hasbro sold the digital rights to Transformers, Magic: The Gathering, My Little Pony, and Playskool to Atari SA for $ 100 million.

HALL OF FAME

In 2001 Tonka Trucks were inducted into the national hall of fame of toys. Yes, the National Toys Hall of Fame in Rochester New York, at the strong. In Montana, the Winifred museum has a collection of over 3,000 Tonka trucks.

Conclusion

70 years ago, Tonka Toys shook up the industry with realistic, functional trucks. Millions of toy trucks sold later and modern toy collectors and truck enthusiasts are still enthralled with such realistic designs. The satisfaction of realistic durable features such as steel shovels and rotating cranes mixed with the love for toys really makes Tonka a special toy company.

When they could have settled for cheap plastic and potentially more sales, they opted for a more natural authentic product that reeked of quality. Therefore Tonka sealed itself and secured a spot as an all-time hall of famer.