More than 100 years after it was founded, Radio Flyer of Chicago, Illinois continues to produce one of the most iconic symbols of childhood today, the little red wagon.
Origins
Founded in 1917 by Chicago-based woodworker, Antonio Pasin, who built and sold photograph cabinets for a living.
An Accidental Product
In his cabinet shop, Pasin used a handmade wooden wagon as a tool caddy, and customers began asking to purchase similar wagons. By 1923, Pasin was focusing on building wooden wagons under the company name of Liberty Coaster Company
Inspiration for an Icon
As demand for his wagons grew, Pasin looked to the automobile industry for inspiration. The iconic Radio Flyer model was born when the company began making wagons from stamped steel in 1927.
To reflect this new direction, Pasin renamed the company to Radio Steel & Manufacturing in 1930. Radio Flyer was not adopted as the company’s name until 1987.
Pop Culture Influence
The company looked to cultural trends for its designs, including automobiles, Davy Crockett, Evel Knievel, and modern-day SUVs.
Today, the company produces a battery-powered car for children based on the Tesla Model S.
Legacy
Over a century after it was founded, Radio Flyer continues to produce ride-on toys for kids.
The Radio Flyer wagon was was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong in 1999.
Pasin was posthumously inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2003.
Radio Flyer was named one of Fortune’s 25 best small business workplaces in 2015.
Today, Radio Flyer is run by Pasin’s grandson, Robert.
