Louis Marx - April 1, 1929 Introduced His Version of the Yo-Yo
Louis (Louie) Marx was such a famous Toy Maker for his time that on December 12, 1955, he made the cover of Time Magazine. However, not without many challenges along the way and competition to get to that spot. He is a dream come true creator for many children (young at heart) and why we feel he has an interesting history to share. A must visit for any antique toy enthusiast...Go visit Marx's Toy Museum built in Mr. Marx's honor in Moundsville, West Virginia! Mr. Marx had 12 factories. One of these is below. American made toy trains came from one in Girard, PA.
Born August 11, 1896 in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Marx lived until he was 85 years old, dying 05 Feb 1982. He is laid to rest in the Bronx in New York. He was the son of Austrian Jewish parents - Jacob & Clara (nee Meergrien) who both immigrated to America before 1895. His father was a Tailor by profession and his mother a Homemaker. Below is a snapshot of the New York 1915 State Census Records for Brooklyn, New York found on the Ancestry.com website. Louis was one of three siblings born to the Marx's and this Census shows his profession as a Salesman for toys at the age of 19 years old.
Source Citation
New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 25; Assembly District: 10; City: New York; County: Kings; Page: 05
Louis married twice in his lifetime. Firstly, to René Aber in the 1920s whom was a theatrical performer in the Follies. Sadly, Rene died of breast cancer at the age of 44. He was left with four children and remarried Idella Ruth Blackadder whom was 28 years his junior. Below is a snippet of his World War I Registration Card for your appreciation ( this was filled out while he was still single). You will note his employer is listed as Ferdinand Strauss Inc. Strauss was a popular manufacturer of mechanical toys. Strauss Inc. was Marx' first job. He was so motivated by toy making that he acquired this job in this industry at the young age of 15 years old. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and attained the Rank of SGT. After his service, he went on to create a line of military figures, equipment and play sets which were developed with an Army theme upon inspiration that stemmed from his time in service.
Source Citation: Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Registration State: New York; Registration County: Kings; Roll: 1754390; Draft Board: 45
IN 1919, Louis ventured into business for himself. After having learned how to make and market economically toy products from within Strauss Inc., he and his brother David incorporated their own venture and started Louis Marx & Company. Their motto was built on saving money to accommodate the needs of the modern family. Within three years of opening his doors, at the age of 26, both he and his brother David were millionaires. Their company stayed in business until 1980. During his lifetime, he manufactured both in the United States and also in Great Britain. For the UK it was under the "Lumar" name. Most famously, he built tin plated wind up toys, plastic vehicles and train sets. In his early years, he helped with designing Zippo the climbing monkey and the Alabama Coon Jigger for Strauss Inc. For America, he introduced his version of the Yo Yo on April 1st, 1929. He however was not the very first to bring the Yo Yo into the realm of genius creations. The creation of the Yo Yo can date lineage back to 400-500 BC in Greece! Attached herein is a wonderful article written about the History of the Yo-Yo as a whole.
Marx produced few original toys in his early years honestly. But he was able to predict what was going to be popular and tried his best to manufacture his creations quickly at a fraction of the cost of his competitors. One said competitor was Donald F. Duncan with regard to the Yo-Yo. He marketed something similar around the same time as Marx. Duncan had seen a "Flores Yo-Yo" in the hands of a young man in California in the late 1920's and decided to develop his own pro-type that today is very well known in the industry as well. Louis Marx' version however was distributed by Sears and then Montgomery Ward in the late 1920's-early 1930's and had initial record sales that toppled $100 million. This was likely due to the fact of being able to contain the cost to manufacture. Off to a great start, just three years into business, the two Marx brothers became very famous quickly! Below is a photo of one of their originals - the Lumar 33. It was made of tin.
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| Source Citation: WorthPoint Corp.-The largest resource for researching, valuing and buying/selling antiques, art and vintage collectibles. |
Every family in America by the 1950's had at least one of Marx' toys in their home. Thus, the reason stated to properly make the cover of Time Magazine - December 12, 1955.
Source Citation: Time Magazine - Louis Marx - December 12, 1955
Photo Credits: Boris Artzybasheff
His company is attributed to not only military play sets and Yo-Yos but also to Uncle Wiggly Easter Bunny Crazy Car in 1935, the Big Wheel, now owned by KidsWheels, Inc., and Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots, now owned by Mattel. Perhaps you may even find one of his products in your toy chest today that has a very long history in the making!
This below is the logo found on many of Louis Marx & Company products in addition to another logo used by those with the Lumar name.
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| Photo Source Citation: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia |
Louis Marx was special. He prospered seeking to spread happiness into the life's of others with toy-making at a cost price point that afforded many families joy! When the world was caught up between two Wars and in midst of the Great Depression, he was doing his part to make others happy.
Thank you Mr. Marx, and to your brother David, for creating your toy line. It surely pleased all children around the world!
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