8. Matchbox Cars

Release Year: 1953
Produced by Lesney Products
Initial Cost: $0.48*
Lesney Products of the United Kingdom introduced Matchbox Cars, the miniature marvels that changed the toy automobile industry, to the market in 1953. A worldwide craze was started by Jack Odell, whose daughter wanted a toy that could be brought to school that was small enough to fit inside a matchbox.

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Children were able to grasp a small portion of the automobile industry in their palms because of the immediate success of these intricate die-cast reproductions of cars, which ranged from commonplace vehicles to exotic supercars. Due in large part to their ongoing appeal, Matchbox Cars were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2001, commemorating their contribution to many children’s automotive passions.