About Tonka Vehicles
Tonka has sold over 250 million vehicles since it began making toy trucks in 1947. The popular toys are known for designs based on real life construction vehicles like dump trucks and back hoes. And they are truly "Built for Boyhood," as the company motto says. The ruggedly designed toys can take whatever little boys dish out.
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History
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Mound Metalcraft was a small metal tool manufacturer working out of the basement of a schoolhouse. The company found that their toy trucks were very popular and sold better than their shovels and tie racks. They switched their name to Tonka in 1947 and eventually became a leading American toy company.
The name Tonka comes from the Sioux word for "Great" and Lake Minnetonka, which the first facility overlooked.
Tonka started out with just two trucks - a steam shovel and a crane. These toys, built from heavy automotive grade steel, were realistic and durable. They were an instant hit with the post-war parents and their children, and remained popular for generations to come.
Tonka bought Parker Kenner in 1987 to become the 3rd biggest toy manufacturer of its day. Tonka was then bought by Hasbro in 1991 and is now run as one a division of Hasbro.
Function
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Tonka toy trucks are known for their durability and style. Different lines are aimed at different age groups.
*Wheel Pals are small soft trucks for toddlers push around. They are designed to be a child's first truck toy.
*Tonka Toddler toys are large trucks designed for more active play and include ride-on toys.
*Big Boy toys are for ages 3 and up and are the more traditional construction toys for outside play. -
Identification
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Tonka trucks are easy to spot with their classical bright yellow paint. A Tonka logo is generally found on the door of the truck.
1947-1955: The oldest Tonka trucks have an oval logo with the words "Tonka Toys, Mound Metalcraft Inc, Mound, Minn."
1956-1957: Tonka logo drops the "Mound Metalcraft, Inc."
1958-1961: Logo background changes color from gold and blue to white and gold.
1962-1969: Logo changes color to red and gold and now reads "Tonka, Mound, Minn."
1970-1973: Logo now reads "Tonka, USA"
1974-1975: Logo just reads "Tonka"
1976-1977: Logo background changes to solid red.
1978 to present: Logo is just "Tonka" with no background.
Size
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Tonka makes toy vehicles in various sizes, from two-inch race cars to trucks large enough for toddlers to ride on.
In 2007, Tonka built a life size dump truck to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
Benefits
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Tonka still makes a classic toy truck that can stand up to vigorous outdoor play. Tonka trucks are designed for rough imaginative play in all weather, indoors and out. They can be driven through the mud, dirt, sand and snow and come out fine. The trucks are so durable that many have been passed down from one generation to another.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Adam Selwood, Tom Woodward, Nelson de Witt
