Despite the Depression, which idled many other industries, Radio Steel worked at full capacity throughout the 1930s. Although the company made its mark with the classic, simple red coaster wagon, it also made more sophisticated products, such as the Streak-O-Lite of 1934, a wagon with control dials and working headlights. Another popular 1930s model was the Zep, which imitated the streamlined styling of the day’s fancy automobiles. Pasin passed on his success to his workers, initiating generous programs such as English language tutoring within the factory. He also provided interest-free loans to his workers so they could build houses, contributing to the stability of the mostly Italian neighborhood around the factory on Chicago’s West Side.
Radio Flyer has more than 100 award-winning products available around the globe. Since 1917, the family-owned company has created icons of childhood, building a legacy of high quality, timeless and innovative toys that spark the imagination and inspire outdoor, active play. With over a billion wheels on the road, Radio Flyer wheels have carried, hauled and fueled more kids’ play and adventures than any other ride-on toy. Radio Flyer has received numerous awards, including “Best Places to Work” by Fortune, “Top Small Workplaces,” by The Wall Street Journal and “5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America,” by Inc.
Many wagons will allow children to intrepidly pull their own toys and supplies out to a picnic or beach trip, while allowing adults to tow a toddler back to the car afterwards safely and with minimal strain. However, not all wagons are created equal, and many wagons are not suitable for both uses. The handle is a bit short, so it can be hard for a taller adult to pull this one, and the canopy tends to have a hard time keeping its shape, especially when it’s windy. The wheels also make it difficult to go over rough terrain, so it’s best for long walks around the neighborhood, at the park, or family activities. A built-in canopy is quick to attach and provides great shade for summertime walks.
Radio Flyer’s folding wagons have long wheelbases and handles but have fabric sides so they can fold easily with just one hand. Also known as collapsible wagons, Radio Flyer’s folding wagons are perfect for tailgating and going to the beach. From the humble start of the iconic little red wagon, Radio Flyer now makes several different categories of wagons and dozens of choices in each. If you are looking for a Radio Flyer wagon with three riding modes, take a look at the Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Folding Wagon for Kids and Cargo. Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington features a large red wagon that doubles as a playground slide. The interactive sculpture was sculpted by Ken Spiering and installed in 1989.
By some estimates, Pasin’s sales team sold more than 120,000 miniature coaster wagons by the time the fair concluded in 1934. Many were red, like the one in our collection, but blue and green were also available, among others. Considering the volume of the souvenirs produced, many of these special 1933 mini Radio Flyers are still in circulation. But as evidenced by the condition of our artifact, time can take its toll on the rubber wheels and paint job. These were meant for putting on a shelf more than playing with.
Despite the depression, Antonio had his sights set on the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The flashy red color became a mainstay for the Radio Flyers early on, but no one really knows why. “Some people say it was because my grandfather was Italian,” says Robert, explaining that Ferraris and spaghetti sauce, both Italian staples, are red. Over the years, the company has tried many colors, but red always zoomed ahead of the others in sales. That kind of versatility has certainly given the iconic, fire hydrant red Radio Flyer some serious staying power.
The demands for these original wooden wagons, dubbed the “Liberty Coaster,” quickly outpaced production. Incorporating the mass manufacturing techniques of the auto industry, Pasin began making metal wagons razor ride ons out of stamped steel in 1927. At around that time, the red wagons sold for slightly less than $3, or about $40 in 2016 dollars. Yet the classic little red wagon continued to be the company’s mainstay.
He used it to cart around his tools, which he used to build phonograph cabinets. Pretty soon, those wagons were selling faster than the cabinets. The Radio Flyer business was born in 1917, though it would be years before he would be known by that name.
The handle now features a spring so that it won’t fall down when you let go. Lastly, the team included a clear plastic pouch for the exterior–a dedicated spot for kids to slip in a drawing or photo, thereby giving them a sense of ownership over their wagon. Take your little ones on a mini adventure with a spacious and comfy wagon. With a variety of wagons available, pick the one that’s right for your little ones and also perfect for you. From beach wagons to all-terrain wagons that can be taken anywhere with ease. Folding wagons are great for travel within the city as they can be folded to fit in the back of your car.
It folds about similar to our jogging stroller, and even fits in our smaller sedan. Compared with our beast of a B-Ready with two seats, it’s actually more compact when folded, which I love. When not in use, it simply folds up and stands out of the way in our garage or entryway waiting for its next adventure. After you perfect the base, you have the option to add a pull handle if you’d like. It might seem redundant because you already have a push handle, but there have been so many times the pull handle was essential for us and it really adds to its versatility to have both.