MATCHBOX® and HOT WHEELS® HISTORY
Once rivals, now one…

1945
Elliott Handler, his wife Ruth and Harold ‘Matt’ Matson from Mattel Creations.

1947
Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith” LESNEY” start Lesney Product & Co. as a diecasting company.

1952
Jack O’Dell joins Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith forming Lesney in England using the matchbox,
first successfully selling the miniature green and red MB1 Diesel Road Roller,
MB2 Dumper and MB3 Cement Mixer, each sold in small matchboxes.

1959
Lesney buys out MOCO’s share, an early marketer and distributor.

1960’s
Matchbox, Corgi and Dinky were the dominate diecast brands.

1968
Hot Wheels were orig. made by Elliott Hander co-founder of Mattel, to compete with Matchbox.
With designer Jack Ryan, Hot Wheels production began.

1982
Lesney sells Matchbox to Universal Toys and David Yeh, becoming Matchbox International.

1992
Universal Toys is sold to Tyco Toys.

1997
Tyco is purchased by Mattel.
Mattel has owned both Matchbox and Hot Wheels since 1997.

DINKY® and CORGI® HISTORY

1932 – 1979
England Dinky Toys owned by Frank Hornby, Meccano Ltd.

1955 – 1983
Corgi Toys founded by Philip Ullmann, Mettoy Company

1989
Corgi is sold to Mattel.

Late 1980’s
Matchbox buys rights to Dinky. For a time, Mattel owns all 4 top diecast toy brands.

1995
Corgi Classics Limited parts from Mattel- reforms in England.

1999
Corgi is taken over by Zindart Intl. Ltd. as Corgi Intl. Ltd

2008
Corgi is acquired by Hornby Hobbies Ltd.

If you have comments or additions to this page, please email Hal: matchboxcon@gmail.com