Figure 1.--Play gliders like these were popular during the 1940s-60s. They were made from balsa wood pieces that the boy pieced together. Here we see an unidntified boy in the 1960s. Photographer: Bruce Roberts.

Boys love vehicles, not doubt because they are, big, noissy, and powerful. And this toys representing those vehicles are favorites over time. The type of vehicle has varried over time with technologies. No doubt coaches, waggons, and sleds were popular in the early 19th century, but expensive at the time. Trains became popular at mid-century and manufscturing advances made them less expensice. Boats were also populsr, especially sailboats as they could be mase to actually work. Boys loved to sail boats in the local park. Another favorites was toy trains--especially the model electric train when they became available in the 1900s. The train was a great toy because you could combine it with other items like toy soldiers. The 20th century also brought airplanes and cars and trucks. And eventually spaceships and rockets. Toy air planes are popular. Here there are avariety of toys. Younger boys might play with siple airplanes mde like boats, trucks, and ther vehicles. Making model airplanes was also very ppular. I remember working n models the P-51 Mustang and Corsair were muy two favorites. And there wee plans that could actually fly, both simple balsa gliders and radio-controlled planes with small motors.

Popularity

Boys love vehicles, not doubt because they are, big, noissy, and powerful. And this toys representing those vehicles are favorites over time. This appears to be a given that has appeared to boys, part of their inherent behavior.

Chronology

The type of vehicle has varried over time with technologies. No doubt coaches, waggons, and sleds were popular in the early 19th century, but expensive at the time. Trains became popular at mid-century and manufscturing advances made them less expensice. Boats were also populsr, especially sailboats as they could be mase to actually work. And of course in the 20th century, cars, trucks, and planes emerge and with them toys based on those vehicles. In the second half of the c20th century we see rockets, flying saucers and other space vehicles.

Gender

The photographic record confirms that not only did boys love toy vehicles, but girls had little interest in them. Grown up girls may want a nice car, but bvery few girls were interested in playing with toy cars. Many feminists want us to nelieve that gender differences are molded by society. Meaning that parents bough toy vehickes for boys and dolls for girls. There is no doubt that this dymamic was at play. But it is also clear that there were inherent preferences. Boys wanted toy vehickes and girls clearly had little or no interest in them. The only exception we can think of is Cibdrealla's pumpkin chairage.

Specific Vehicle Toys

Whatever vehicle that Ameicans have invented or used have been turned into toys for children, usually boys. Boats were one popular vehicle toy. Sailboats were popular, probably because they could be actuially sailed. Boys loved to sail boats in the local park. Note who is there. Not only are mostly boys doing the sailing, but the people warching are mostly boys. Another favorites was toy trains--especially the model electric train when they became available in the 1900s. And again this not only were there dtailed replicas, but they actually moved. The train was a great toy because you could combine it with other items like toy soldiers. The 20th century also brought airplanes and cars and trucks. And eventually spaceships and rockets. Toy air planes are popular. Here there are a variety of toys. Younger boys might play with simple airplanes made like boats, trucks, and ther vehicles. And there were plans that could actually fly, both simple balsa gliders and radio-controlled planes with small motors. These were for older boys. There were a wide range of toy cars, trucks, fire trucks, and construction equipment for younger boys. Some were very basic. Most wheeled vehicles had wheels that worked. Many behicle toys has features that worked.

Sizes

These vehicle toys were done in all kinds of sizes from minature Hot Wheels to some big enough for todlers to sit on.

Pull Toys

Some were vehicle toys were done as pull toys, but this seems to have been more of a 19th and early-20th century arrangement. I don't recall having pull toys in the 1940s, but we have seen some fot todlers.

Models

Making models were also very popular. Model aircraft were vthe most popular, but there were akso model cars and boats. I remember working on model aircraft like the World War II P-51 Mustang. My older brother produced a wonderful Corsair. He was very good at models. They were my two favorites. Powered Toys

Created: 11:44 PM 2/12/2009
Last updated: 7:02 PM 2/24/2019