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Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, despite not being related but rather old friends from Central School Enfield, founded Lesney Products on January 19, 1947, in England. The name "Lesney" was formed by combining the first three letters of Leslie's name and the last three letters of Rodney's name. During World War II, the two friends lost contact due to their military service but reconnected upon returning to England. Leslie returned to the company where he had worked as a salesman, while Rodney resumed his work at D.C.M.T., a metal foundry company in north London.
They decided to start a business together to fulfill their dream of becoming manufacturers. With a total of £600, they established their business in an old public house in Edmonton called The Rifleman. Rodney bought a metal casting machine from his former employers and began making machine parts and ornaments on commission, while Leslie worked as a salesman in the office.
Shortly after starting, Rodney Smith contacted John (Jack) Odell, a talented engineer he had met at D.C.M.T. Initially, Jack would work independently within The Rifleman, contributing £2 a week for rent. He used his own machines to make industrial frames and mold Lesney's products. His talent led the Smiths to ask him to join as a partner.
By 1948, Lesney already had eight employees and was managed by its three partners. Later, Jack Odell would use his name written backward as the name of his own company, the famous "Lledo," but that is another story.
It soon became clear that the industrial business was seasonal, with a significant decrease in work mid-year. They needed something to keep the business going during those lean periods. A year earlier, in mid-1947, a toy manufacturer had requested that they assemble a component for a toy gun, which helped them get through that difficult period and planted the seed for the company's future direction. Thus, anticipating the next period of low sales, they decided to make cast metal models similar to Dinky toys but at a third of the price.
Sales increased slightly, although they were lower than expected. In 1951, Rodney Smith left Lesney Products, convinced that the company had no future.
Jack Odell's skill was widely demonstrated in late 1953 with the production of an exquisite model of the Coronation Coach of Queen Elizabeth, released on June 2, 1953. This model sold over a million units. Based on this scale, the popular 1-75 size was born, small enough to fit in a "matchbox" (Matchbox in English). At the same time, Jack Odell's daughter started school and could only bring a toy that fit in a matchbox. Jack made her a pair of miniature skates, and when her friends also wanted them, Jack made more using a mold.
In 1956, Matchbox introduced the Yesteryears series, featuring historical models, including the London Type Bus, suggested by Jack Odell's father, who was a bus driver. The first three Yesteryears models were exhibited at the Harrogate toy fair that same year. The models were packaged in boxes similar to those used for matches.
Lesney Products bought 50% of the interest in Moko, the original distributor of Matchbox toys, thus expanding their global market.
By 1960, Lesney Products was producing 50 million miniatures a year. That same year, the company went public and launched the Y15 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, which attracted great public attention and even displaced the Yesteryear in popularity.
In 1966, Lesney Products was awarded the Queen's Award for Industry, and both Leslie Smith and Jack Odell received the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
The arrival of Mattel's Hot Wheels in 1968 represented significant competition. In response, Matchbox launched the Superfast range in 1969, with faster models in bright colors.
In 1973, Lesney Products faced strikes, a fire, and a flood at their Rochford factory in England, significantly affecting production. Jack Odell left the company that same year.
The company expanded its line with series like Skybusters (airplanes), SeaKings (ships), and Battlekings (military models). The production of Matchbox railways continued until 1982.
Lesney Products declared bankruptcy in 1982 and was acquired by Universal Toys. In 1986, Matchbox bought the Dinky brand. Subsequently, Tyco Toys acquired Matchbox in 1992, and finally, Mattel bought Tyco in 1997, integrating Matchbox into its portfolio.
Matchbox celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002 and its 60th anniversary in 2014, releasing special editions to commemorate these milestones.
Rodney Smith, one of the founders of Lesney Products, passed away in 2013, having left a significant mark on the toy industry. Eight years earlier, in 2005, Jack Odell, co-founder and key designer of Matchbox, also passed away, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of scale models.
Throughout its history, Matchbox has shown a remarkable ability to adapt and evolve in a constantly changing market. From its humble beginnings with simple models to becoming a global leader in vehicle miniatures, the brand has maintained a constant commitment to quality and innovation. Today, Matchbox remains a respected and appreciated name among collectors and new enthusiasts alike, representing a perfect blend of nostalgia and modernity. The history of Matchbox Lesney is a testament to how dedication and creativity can turn a simple idea into a global phenomenon.
