The Woverine Zilotone
By Martin A. Roenigk Ever since discovering the Wolverine Zilotone several years ago, I have been fascinated by this ingenious musical toy of the Depression years. The toy combines the mechanical attributes of the early piano playing automatons with the convenience and variety of music provided by disc musical boxes. While not entirely successful, and […]
The Ultimate Wind Up
By Chris Rubin This article is adapted from information provided by the Franklin Institute in Pennsylvania where the original automaton is displayed. In 1928, a mechanical toy in several pieces and needing major repairs was donated to the Franklin Institute by the estate of John Penn Brock, a wealthy Philadelphian. The family claimed it was […]
Toys Made In Buffalo, New York (Part I)
By Anne Cartwright By the late 1800s, early 1900s, Buffalo NY was the 8th largest city in the United States. In 1900, it had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the US. As a major shipping, rail, lumber, steel, chemical, livestock, and grain center, thanks to its strategic location at the eastern […]
Toys Made In Buffalo, New York (Part II)
By Anne Cartwright From 1882 to 1892, they produced cast iron still and mechanical banks based on patents held by Charles G. Shepard and Peter Adams, Jr. The latter always reassigned his rights to Walter J. Shepard. The Shepard Hardware Co, remained in business after 1892 when the mechanical bank business was sold to J. […]