Lionel Electric YellowItem #: -1193
In 1900, prolific but as yet unsuccessful inventor Joshua Lionel Cowen built a tiny electric motor, attached it to a toy locomotive, built a 30 ft. circle of brass track, then took the whole thing to a Providence, Rhode Island novelty shop. It so delighted children of all ages that Cowen soon could barely keep up with the orders. But in the 1960's the company nearly died. Competition from discount stores and other hobbies (model airplanes, board games and television) caused sales to plummet. LIONEL TRAINS and AMERICAN FLYER enjoyed a rebirth in the 1970's from a new nostalgia/collector market, including parents who wanted to share the Lionel experience with their children.
16 7/8" X 3 7/16"
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