When his son, Mario Pasin, passed the business down to Robert in 1997, growth was at a standstill and the company wasonly marginally profitable. Pamela, the Made In Chicago Museum is not affiliated with Radio Flyer. Radio Flyer is still in business and can be found at radioflyer.com. Did Radio Flyer ever market razor ride ons a wagon (circa 1930’s) with pictures and text “The Iron Duke”? My family has had this wagon since new and when looking at antique wagons, it most resembles one that is a Radio Flyer, but I can’t tell its make. In retrospect, it looks like one of the savviest and most successful promotional stunts of its era.
At the end of the war, however, the Radio Flyer® Wagon jumped right back into American life, with the company ramping up its advertising and production. In spite of increased competition, the company still held an estimated 70 percent of the wagon market as of the year 2000. Under the leadership of the third generation of the Pasin family, the company seemed ready to adapt to further challenges.
A family picnic and day at the beach will likely need more features than a simple ride down the block to the playground. Consider what your family’s needs are and look for wagons that match. Crafted primarily of heavy-duty rust-resistant steel, this wagon displays the best of several features razor ride ons according to toy expert Steve Shank of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania’s Toys on the Square. According to Shank, this wagon has superior quality rubber air tires, high wooden stake sides for safe riding, and a sturdy handle with advanced steering for smooth maneuverability and tip-proof riding.
The plastic red wagon can be used as a walker, as the handle locks into place. The handle can also be adjusted into a pull position so that the toy can be used in a fashion similar to that of the original wagon. It is recommended for children older than 1, and it includes a weight limit of 35 pounds. I have an original Liberty Coaster wagon I used to play with as a child.
Radio Flyer now also offers additional toys such as a bounce house and a child walker as the company expands further into the toy market while remaining true to its wagon roots. When Antonio Pasin died in 1990 at age 93, his son Mario had already taken charge, and Mario’s son Robert took the reins in 1997. 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.
Plus, the built-in comfort seat provides extra back and ergonomic support, giving your child a smooth ride throughout. Before you know it your little one will be hopping into a real roadster, but for now, savor the beginning. Radio Chief – This classic red wagon had extended sides or rails of blue and white, similar to the wooden Highway Chief of the 1940s. It allowed kids to carry lots of stuff but with a fun 1950s style. In 1987, Radio Steel changed its name to Radio Flyer after its popular flagship little red wagon.
The 1950s saw a yellow wagon inspired by the movie Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier and a blue wagon produced in partnership with Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club. Wagons from the 1970s borrowed the stylings of the muscle cars of the day, including the Fireball 2001 inspired by Evel Knievel. The 1990s saw the introduction of the “Quad Shock Wagon” echoing sport utility vehicles. The “Ultimate Family Wagon”, introduced in 2007, includes a sunshade and an adjustable seat; the design won a Chicago Innovation Award in 2007.