From modest beginnings in an old woodworking factory after the First World War, Walter, William and Arthur Lines built their company by 1950 into the world's first multinational toy-making business. The core of Lines Brothers Ltd's extensive manufacturing network was always Tri-ang Toys, but by the time of its demise in 1971 what had by then become the Lines Group incorporated many subsidiary firms, which made some of the most popular British playthings of the twentieth century - FROG model aircraft, Minic transport toys, Pedigree prams, Spot-On model cars, Tri-ang Hornby trains, Scalextric racing sets and Sindy Dolls. A colourful history of the development of these toys and the manufacturing empire behind them, this book will appeal both to collectors and to those who used to play with Tri-ang Toys.

Author Biography

Kenneth D. Brown retired in 2009 after forty years at Queen's University, Belfast, where he was Professor of Economic and Social History and Pro-Vice Chancellor. The author of nine books and over eighty papers and essays, he collects and also makes his own lead soldiers. He wrote 'The British Toy Industry' for Shire.