1920s Cyclops Rocket Coaster Wagon
LENGTH: 17″
WIDTH: 9″
WIDTH: 10″
The first Cyclops coaster wagons appear to be re-stencilled Express wagons with wooden bodies imported from the USA. There is no record of when Cyclops started making their own coaster wagons, but a metal-bodied one appears in a 1926 Cyclops catalogue.
This Rocket Coaste is pictured next to a 1941 Malvern Star Military bicycle.
CYCLOPS MFG CO
1 Hay St, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW, Australia
The Australian toy making firm Cyclops was started by Heine Brothers, who were a pressed metal manufacturer. The origins of the firm began in 1911 when 5 year-old Ernest Heine saw an American tricycle and would not leave his father, John, alone until he had imported one for him. It featured solid iron wheels, no tyres, turned wooden handle bars and a leather seat. Seeing the marketing potential of the bicycle, John Hein began manufacturing flat-framed tricycles for children in a small factory in Hay Street, Leichhardt, an inner Sydney suburb, in 1913 with a staff of four.
By 1915 the name ‘Cyclops’ – the one-eyed giant whom Ulysses met on his travels in Greek mythology – was registered as the new name of the company. By 1926 Cyclops merchandise had spread Australia-wide. After WW2, production resumed at the Cyclops factory, in November 1946.
In 1955 Cyclops were taken over by Lines Bros, the large British toy manufacturing company, who were expanding rapidly; the following year the firm purchased the plastics manufacturing company Moldex Ltd in Fairfield, Melbourne. The company made use of injection, extrusion, thermo-setting and vacuum machinery and as a result there was an increase in the diversification and range of plastic transport and other toys.
1941 MALVERN STAR MILITARY BICYCLE
TO SEE THE
1941 MALVERN STAR MILITARY BICYCLE
PLEASE CLICK HERE
Cyclops info with thanks to –
http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=97945&search=cyclops&images=&c=1&s=
http://www.thepedalcarguy.com/v/Cyclops/1930%20-%201939
