Author: tintoyrobots.com

The 9.5 inch Moon Patrol X-5 was first produced in 1962 by Yonezawa, and came in three color variations: dark blue, white, and light blue. Among collectors, the white variant is the rarest, followed by the light blue and then the more commonly found dark blue version. Distributed in the western markets by Cragstan, it is powered by bump-n-go action, and includes a rotating antenna and flashing lights. Complete with a miniature astronaut at the helm, equipped with a “death ray,” the vehicle emits space-themed sounds while the gun swivels from side to side.

The Alps Television Spaceman debuted in 1959, and was powered by two D-cell batteries. Its movements included walking forward with swinging arms, accompanied by rotating eyes and a kaleidoscopic light show within its “mouth” and revolving chest-mounted TV screen. The distinctive tin antenna serves not only as a visual hallmark but also as a functional switch.

Safety considerations prompted the replacement of the pointed tin antenna with a round plastic radar dish in later iterations. Despite these modifications, the essence of the original endured, influencing a generation of robot toys to come. Its legacy lives on not just in its physical form, but in the blueprint it laid down for other television-style robots that followed.

Yonezawa’s 1959 Cragstan Astronaut remains a coveted piece among collectors of vintage toys. Sporting a skirted design, it boasts an unusual hand crank wheel on its lower back, a mechanism that sets it in motion with a series of clicking sounds and swinging arms. Two variations exist: one with a youthful face, and another with an older adult visage. 

Cragstan played a pivotal role in bringing Japanese mechanical and battery-operated toys to the American market during the postwar era. Founded by Frank Stanton and Stanley Kaplan, the company imported toys from manufacturers like Daiya, Yoshiya, and Yonezawa, and quickly gained popularity for its innovative and high-quality offerings.

Yoshiya’s  Chief Smoky Robot was introduced during the 1950s, and boasted an array of  features including bump n’ go action, simulated steam-like smoke emanating from its head, and a translucent, illuminated cranium. Each puff of smoke was accompanied by a distinctive clanking sound. Adorned with lithography on its chest depicting electrodes and atom symbols, Chief Smoky Robot epitomized the era’s vision of technological advancement and innovation.

Part of Yoshiya’s skirted robot series, Chief Smoky Robot paved the way for subsequent creations such as Radical Robot, Mystery Moonman, Mighty Robot, and Mr. Chief. Sharing the same  skirted body design, these robots each had their own unique characteristics. While original Chief Smoky Robots command high prices in today’s market, a respectable reproduction was introduced by Ha Ha Toys in 2005.

The Linemar R-35 Control Robot was an early example of remote controlled tin robot toys. Standing at 7.5 inches tall, this metallic silvery-blue robot has lithographed tinplate adorned with red, black, and yellow details. Operated by a wired remote control, which houses two D-cell batteries, the R-35 Robot moved forward or backward via pin walking while swinging its arms and illuminating its green eyes.

As an import subsidiary of Louis Marx & Co, Linemar played a pivotal role in bringing Japanese-made toys to Western markets during the 1950s through the late 1960s. The R-35 Robot, produced by both Linemar and Modern Toys, showcases the craftsmanship and diversity of these early imports. There were variations in color schemes, remote control designs, and eye colors throughout its production run.

Yoshiya’s skirted Chief Robotman epitomizes the iconic robots of the mid 20th century. Its distinct features include a solid rectangular body with a vibrant green panel on the front, adorned with three red buttons. The square head with spinning antennae is tinged in yellow with red/burgundy accents, and houses a light in its dome.

Chief Robotman is part of a series that includes notable variants like the Mystery Moonman and the Radical Robot, each distinguished by its unique color scheme. While the grey iteration remains the most prevalent, the white and blue versions stand out as slightly rarer finds. Standing at an impressive 13 inches tall, this robot featured a bump-and-go mechanism along with stop-and-go functionalities. The silver Chief Robotman edition offers additional functionality as its head swivels from left to right, accompanied by flashing lights and spinning antennas on both ears. It was reintroduced as a reproduction in 2008 for a new wave of collectors.

Introduced in 1962, Horikawa’s 11 inch Attacking Martian was structurally similar to their Super Astronaut model, albeit lacking the rotational upper torso featured in its counterpart.  While walking, its chest compartment would open, unveiling a double laser gun that illuminated with accompanying sound effects. Available in three colors – dark brown, gold, and silver – Attacking Martian exhibited a range of style variations over its extended production run in the 1960s. While early iterations included a chest with opening doors, later versions underwent modifications, with some featuring a larger head and omitting the opening doors. Most models had “fly eyes” but some more rare versions included lighted eyes.

Evolution marked subsequent versions of the robot, with plastic components gradually integrated into its construction, including arms, head, legs, and feet. It was also marketed as  Zerox Robot in later variations. 

The Yonezawa Atomic Robot, introduced in 1968, was dubbed “Rotational Robot” for its distinctive top half rotation. It features a dual-face design, alternating between expressions of joy and anger during its mechanical movements. Powered by clockwork, it waddles with a pin walking mechanism operating its feet while its upper torso rotates back and forth. Sporting a colorful blue body adorned with red and yellow details, the Yonezawa Atomic Robot presents a striking visual aesthetic reminiscent of early vintage robots. Despite its seemingly retro design, this intriguing creation was manufactured and sold during the later stages of the golden era of tin toy robots.

The Atomic Robot Man stands as a pioneering artifact in the world of toy robotics, shrouded in mystery since its inception in 1949. Despite its significance, its maker remains elusive, with no identifying label on the original packaging. This enigmatic figure holds the distinction of being the second toy robot ever crafted, following the debut of the Lilliput Robot in 1938. Available in two iterations, the Atomic Robot Man boasted either cast metal or tin arms, both driven by a key-wound pin-walking mechanism.

Crafted in Japan amidst the post-war era, the Atomic Robot Man exudes an unmistakably primitive charm, characterized by its rudimentary design comprising basic geometric shapes and hollow eyes. Rumors swirl regarding its production, suggesting the use of recycled tin from food cans by an unknown factory for its construction.

Standing at 6.5 inches tall, Yoshiya’s Atom Robot’s skirted design and bump-n-go feature were unique for windup robots of the time. What set it apart is its mysterious crank action, promising an element of surprise as it springs to life unexpectedly when wound up. The Atom Robot embodies the craftsmanship and attention to detail synonymous with Yoshiya’s trademark quality. Despite its diminutive size, this clockwork tin litho marvel is still instantly recognizable for its unique style and rich functionality.