Tonka
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Tonka is a toy company most known for its signature toy trucks and construction equipment.
The Tonka toys were originally designed and built by Mound Metalcraft Co. in Mound, Minnesota, which had previously made a metal tie valet and had intended to build lawn and garden tools. In 1946, Mound approached another local manufacturer, L.E. Streater Company, about making metal toys under license. The name Tonka (a reference to nearby Lake Minnetonka) appeared on the toys from the beginning, but did not become the company name until the 1950s.
The company has been owned by General Mills, and was purchased by Hasbro of Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1991.
Other products
Tonka has produced a wide variety of toys over the years, including dolls and and other toys aimed at girls. They have also produced a variety of computer games, including Tonka Raceway, and purchased the rights for the Sega Master System after Sega decided to stop competing against the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. However, the Master System's market share declined, since Tonka never marketed a video game console.Tonka has also produced barbecue grills.
External links
- [Tonka Trucks] The Tonka web site
- [Tonka Toy Trucks Info and Much More] Site with large amount of information on Tonka history
- [Streater Industries] site of the original owners - corporate information tells history
- [Action Figure Archive Gobots, Super Naturals] - Vintage Tonka action figures guide, message boards and online store.
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