Schuco toys and models, Germany, 1930s to 1950s

Schuco is a renowned German toy manufacturer that was founded in 1912 by Heinrich Müller and Heinrich Schreyer under the name Schreyer & Co. in Nuremberg, Germany. Initially, Schuco focused on producing metal and tinplate toys. Their early products included mechanical cars, trains, and various other wind-up toys. However, it was in the 1920s and 1930s that Schuco gained international recognition and popularity for their innovative and finely crafted toys.

During this period, Schuco introduced a range of ingenious wind-up toys with intricate mechanisms. These toys, often featuring detailed designs and moving parts, captivated children and collectors alike. Some of Schuco's most iconic toys from this era include the "Examico" car, the "Piccolo" line of miniature vehicles, and the famous "Yes/No" Teddy bears, which could move their heads in response to being tilted.

Schuco continued to produce toys throughout World War II. However, the company's more... production was disrupted by the war and the company's facilities were damaged. After the war, Heinrich Schreyer rebuilt the company and resumed production, and began to export its toys to other countries.

In the 1950s, Schuco shifted its production to incorporate new materials, such as plastic, and introduced a wider variety of toys. They expanded their range to include model cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even licensed character toys. In the following decade Schuco introduced a line of electronic toys. The company also began to produce die-cast metal trains.

In the 1970s to the 1990s Schuco produced a line of collectible die-cast metal cars and a line of miniature die-cast metal cars, and later a line of radio controlled cars.

The company went bankrupt in 1976 but was reorganized in 1993 and then became totally independent again by 1996. Some of the products currently commercialised by Schuco include die-cast scale model cars, aircraft, ships, and commercial vehicles.. The company also began to produce a line of radio-controlled cars. Schuco's radio-controlled cars were popular with children and adults alike. less...