COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 42192

Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Wholesalers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

7companies1889–1990founding years7still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedNintendo Company, Ltd.
1889
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedKaufring AG
1921
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedTandycrafts, Inc.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedB.J. Alan Co., Inc.
1977
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedDepartment 56, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedAmerican Coin Merchandising, Inc.
1988
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedToymax International, Inc.
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Nintendo Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1889 · Japan
Nintendo Company, Ltd.
Kaufring AG →
Active · founded 1921 · Germany
Kaufring AG is the leading German wholesale organization for mid-sized independent department stores and special…
Tandycrafts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Tandycrafts, Inc.
B.J. Alan Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
B.J.
Department 56, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Department 56, Inc.
American Coin Merchandising, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
American Coin Merchandising, Inc., which does business as SugarLoaf Creations, Inc., is the only publicly traded…
Toymax International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
Toymax International, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiaries and divisions, makes children's toys, leisure…
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