Object Name:

Toy Telephone

Maker / Manufacturer:

Ideal Toy and Novelty Company

Material:

Designer:

Dr. Islyn Thomas O.B.E, British, born 1912

Description:

Black toy telephone, with rotary dial, red numbers and black letters on off- white paper; fabric cord. This toy was the first injection molded toy telephone and designed and engineered by Hall of Fame member Islyn Thomas for the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company.  It was introduced in 1945, and made from scrap plastic left over from molded gas mask parts made during World War II.

From 1945 to 1957, Thomas Toys could be found in most department stores across America. The company’s jeep with folding windshield and the first plastic toy helicopter with a turning rotor were among the most successful of the line. Millions of the jeeps and helicopters were sold as gifts for the first post WW II Christmas in 1945. The jeep, helicopter and Ideal’s telephone were considered three of the biggest toy hits of their day.

Dimensions:

3 1/2 x 7 x 5 in. (8.9 x 17.8 x 12.7 cm)

Date:

1945-1948

Credit Line:

Gift of Bill Hanlon

Accession Number:

2003.1045