Pasin believed the automotive method could be used for his wagons, enabling him to mass-produce a cheap, well-built product. By the late 1920s, Pasin had refitted his factory for metal stamping, and Liberty Coaster began putting out stamped steel wagons. Pasin named a 1927 model the ‘Radio Flyer,’ capturing the excitement of the burgeoning radio industry. In 1930, Liberty Coaster changed its name to the Radio Steel & Manufacturing Company. This new name made note of both the new metal technology and the popular Radio Flyer model. In 1987, Radio Steel changed its name to Radio Flyer after its popular flagship little red wagon.
Today, the company produces a wide range of children’s products, including scooters, tricycles, ride-ons, horses, battery ops, and wagons. Despite the depression, Antonio razor ride ons had his sights set on the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. He took out a $30,000 loan to build a 45-foot-tall structure of a boy atop a wagon, determined to make a statement.
Eventually Pasin found a job that used his woodworking skills, finishing pianos in a piano factory. By the time he had been in the United States for three years, he had saved enough to buy his own woodworking frozen ride on toy tools and to rent one room to use as a shop. In the evenings, Pasin worked alone, crafting children’s wooden wagons. During the day, he walked the streets of Chicago peddling his samples.
Robert has helped the company dramatically turn around its sinking market share, battling back against stiff competition from bigger toy corporations both foreign and domestic. As mentioned, Radio Flyer closed the manufacturing portion of its Chicago operations in the ‘90s, and they also discontinued the original classic steel wagon, moving over entirely to plastic. Start designing today and thenGet Out and Play with your very own custom stroller wagonthis spring and summer.
By 1923, the wagons were metal instead of wood, and painted bright red. Radio was new, and so was flying, and because Pasin was enamored of both, the wagons became Radio Flyers. As the business expanded, he was known as a handshake guy—no contracts needed. I have an original frozen ride on toy Liberty Coaster wagon I used to play with as a child. More important than the longevity of the souvenirs themselves, though, Pasin had indeed ensured the lasting popularity of his full-size product. When the adventure is over, I can simply fold the stroller wagon compactly.
Today, they can be valuable antiques, prized by collectors and enthusiasts. You get a wagon that carries kids and cargo and an easy-to-push stroller. Stroller wagons are easily identified at a glance because of the difference in handles. Where most wagons have a single bar handle attached to the front axle, the handle on stroller wagons is a broad push bar that is attached to the rear of the frame. Stroller wagons have highly agile steering because the front wheels are mounted on casters. Radio Flyer is a four-time Inc. 5000 honoreeand pulled in $200 million in revenue last year.