In the 1960s, Japanese manufacturers developed fairly simple toy aeroplanes: the child would wind a crank that set a flywheel in motion, and the toy would come to life.
Kokyu Shokai
HELI PORT
1950s, lithographed sheet metal, flywheel mechanism with rotating rotor, H: 13.17 x 20 cm
LineMar
LAUNCHING STATION
1950s, lithographed sheet metal, flywheel mechanism, rolls along the floor, H: 10.4 x 12 cm
Masudaya, Modern Toys
LA GUARDIA AIRPORT
1950s, lithographed sheet metal, flywheel mechanism, rotating rotor, h: 11.30 x 43 cm
Yonezawa
JET PLANE BASE
Late 1950s, lithographed sheet metal, friction and battery-powered mechanisms, jet launch, rotating radar, animated radar screen, sound and lights, height: 19 cm, 19 x 33 cm
These toys have a lot of charm; they are among the last mechanical toys. From the late 1950s onwards, the introduction of batteries led to the automation of toys, which began to light up and make sounds.