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Author: tintoyrobots.com

03 May

Answer Game Machine

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Ichida
 
YEAR
1962
 
POWER
Battery 
 
FUNCTIONS
Mathematical calculations, blinking eyes, rotating beacon
 
 

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

In the landscape of tin robots, the Ichida Answer Game Machine Tin Robot stands out as  truly unique. Crafted in Japan in the early 1960s by Ichida, renowned for their tin cars and figures, this 14.5-inch tall robot may not walk or engage in cinematic theatrics, but its capabilities are no less remarkable. At its core, this robot serves as an early calculator, powered by three ‘D’ cell batteries.

 

With a series of gears and levers, Answer Game Machine is capable of basic mathematical computations – addition and subtraction – while its eyes blink and a disc on its head rotates, indicating its ‘thinking mode’, and engaging users in an interactive arithmetic challenge. As a collector’s gem, it offers a glimpse into the intersection of toy craftsmanship and functional novelty. Lithographed in a vibrant array of colors – gold, yellow, blue, orange, pink, and shades of green –  a truly unique tin robot from Japan’s golden age.

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03 May

Mehanical TV Spaceman

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Alps
 
YEAR
(c) 1960s
 
POWER
Clockwork
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking, revolving screen and antenna
 
RELATED ROBOTS
Alps Television Robot

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

The Alps Mechanical Television Spaceman, distinct from its similarly named counterpart, Alps Television Spaceman, represents a niche within the realm of 1960s tin toys. Standing at 6 inches (16cm) tall with folding plastic arms, plastic feet, it sports a silver body with a cream-colored helmet, adorned with intricate lithography. Winding its clockwork motor and flipping the switch sets it walking with a rotating image on a television screen embedded in its chest and a spinning antenna atop its head.

 

Manufactured by Alps, a precursor to the electronics conglomerate Alpine, the Mechanical Television Spaceman outpunches its weight for a wind-up robot, given its features. Despite its relative scarcity compared to other toys of its time, it holds appeal among collectors for its blend of nostalgic charm and mechanical functionality.

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01 May

Mr. Mercury

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Linemar
 
YEAR
1961
 
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking, raising and grasping arms
 
RELATED ROBOTS 
Jupiter Robot

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

Linemar’s Mr. Mercury debuted in 1961 through Sears Magazine. With three variations, Mr. Mercury boasted an impressive array of actions controlled by a wired remote: walking, arm movements, and object manipulation, all orchestrated with precision. Available in gold, pewter, and red, this battery-operated wonder with twin drivers as “eyes” was clever and unique for its time

 

As an import subsidiary of Louis Marx & Co, Linemar played a crucial role in introducing Japanese-made mechanical toys to American audiences. Specializing in battery-operated novelties, Linemar facilitated the exchange of innovative designs across borders, leaving a lasting legacy despite its assimilation into Louis Marx & Co in 1968.

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01 May

Hi-Bouncer Moon Scout

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Linemar
 
YEAR
1967
 
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking, spinning antenna, shooting balls
 
RELATED ROBOTS 
Colonel Hap Hazard

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

Linemar’s Hi Bouncer Moon Scout, produced in 1967 for Marx Toys, stands as a rare relic of vintage robotics. Crafted in Japan, this battery-operated astronaut robot features a tin body with plastic visor and antenna, measuring 11.5 inches tall. Controlled by a wired remote that also serves as a battery holder for two D-cell batteries, the Hi Bouncer Moon Scout boasts a simple yet functional design.

 

With a two-button remote, users can command the robot to walk forward with moving arms and stop to fire balls from its chest. Equipped with a compartment in the back of its helmet, the robot can shoot five high-bouncing balls with the press of a button. This combination of basic functionality and novelty makes the Hi Bouncer Moon Scout a highly sought-after collectible, offering enthusiasts a glimpse into the ingenuity of vintage toy engineering.

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01 May

Mazinger Z

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Billiken
 
YEAR
1998
 
POWER
Clockwork
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking, moving arms
 
RELATED ROBOTS 
Billiken Great Mazinger, Billiken Kikaider, Billiken Astro Boy

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

Billiken’s Mazinger Z was a tin toy rendition of the iconic character from the renowned manga and anime series by Go Nagai, which holds a significant place in the realm of Japanese popular culture. Originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1972, Mazinger Z has cemented its status as one of the pioneering super robots in Japan’s entertainment landscape. Its influence extends beyond its original publication, with successive generations embracing its legacy, including Great Mazinger and Grendaizer, among others.


This latest iteration of Mazinger Z by Billiken pays homage Popy’s 1970s tin robot rendition, as well as to the character’s appeal, incorporating the charm of their tin robot designs from the 1990s. The simple clockwork action, reminiscent of Billiken’s other releases, adds a nostalgic touch to the beloved character’s depiction.

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01 May

Space Conqueror

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Daiya
 
YEAR
1961
 
POWER
Battery
 
FUCNTIONS
Walking, revolving antenna, raises gun, lights

 

RELATED ROBOTS 
Daiya Astronaut

Photos courtesy of toytent.com

The Space Conqueror was originally produced in 1961 by Daiya, a leading manufacturer of battery-operated tin toys in the post-war era, producing a variety of vehicles, animals, and robots. Standing 11 inches tall and with a rotating antenna on its head, the robot walks forward with a determined locomotion, powered by two D batteries. At a certain point, it stops and raises its gun, flashing red lights and making a loud rat-tat-tat sound. Then it lowers the gun and resumes walking.

 

The Space Conqueror was sold in three color versions – red, blue and green, with slightly different lithography for each. The green version is considered the most rare and valuable, while the blue version is the most common. The robot was marketed in the West by Cragstan, an American toy distributor that imported many Japanese tin toys.

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01 May

Space Dog

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Yoshiya
 
YEAR
1957
 
POWER
Friction, wind-up, battery, battery with remote
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking, sparks, moving mouth and ears
 
RELATED ROBOTS 
Yoshiya Space Elephant

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

In the colorful landscape of vintage robot toys, the Yoshiya (KO) Space Dog, which debuted in 1957, stands out as the first tin robot pet. Reflecting the era’s fascination with space exploration and technology, this robotic canine was a testament to the imaginative reach of toy manufacturers. Produced in  silver, red, and a rare orange female dog version, It was motorized  in various ways over the years, including friction, wind-up, battery-powered, and remote-controlled versions.

 

In 1999, Schylling rekindled the nostalgia by reproducing this iconic toy, offering collectors and fans alike the chance to relive the wonder of the original design at an affordable price. Chromo the Space Dog and Rover the Space Dog, part of Schylling’s Collector Series, paid homage to Yoshiya’s original. With its distinctive forward movement, rocking side-to-side motion, and endearing googly eyes that follow its path, the Space Dog remains a beloved relic of mid-century toy innovation.

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01 May

Earth Man

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Nomura
 
YEAR
1957
 
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking, raises and fires gun
 
RELATED ROBOTS 
Nomura Space Man

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

The Nomura Earth Man tin robot represents a fascinating chapter in the history of Japanese toy manufacturing. Standing at around 9 inches tall and crafted from lithographed tin, this battery-operated remote control astronaut robot epitomizes the fascination with space exploration prevalent during the mid-20th century.

 

Powered by batteries housed in its wired remote, Earth Man walks and raises his gun. Complete with flashing lights and sound effects, this tin toy transports users to an era when space exploration captured the world’s imagination. In addition to similar robots produced by Nomura (like their red Space Man robot), it was also reproduced by Schylling in 2000.

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01 May

Mr. Robot

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Yonezawa
 
YEAR
1961
 
POWER
Battery
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking (skirted), revolving land flashing lights
 
RELATED ROBOTS 
Cragstan Robot

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

Manufactured by Yonezawa for Cragstan Toys, Mr. Robot stands as one of the more iconic tin robots from Japan’s golden age. Debuting in 1961, this battery-powered skirted robot featured swiveling dome lights and simple movements . Standing at 11 inches tall, Mr. Robot sported a distinctive red body adorned with a “Mr. Robot” graphic on its chest. Its clear plastic domed head, housing springs and a rotating light, added an extra dimension as it powered forward with a mysterious bump-and-go action.

 

Cragstan, a New York-based firm renowned for importing mechanical and battery-operated wonders from postwar Japan, introduced Mr. Robot alongside its silver counterpart, the Cragstan Robot, in 1961 and 1963 respectively. Despite variations in design and packaging, Mr. Robot’s enduring appeal persists, making pristine specimens from its limited production run highly sought after by collectors.

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01 May

Door Robot

tintoyrobots.com   |   robots
PRODUCER
Alps
 
YEAR
1958
 
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
 
FUNCTIONS
Walking, revolving lights and antenna
 
RELATED ROBOTS 
Alps Television Robot

Photo courtesy of toytent.com

Nicknamed by collectors for the door compartment on its chest, the Alps Door Robot remains a coveted piece among tin toy enthusiasts, ranking among the most sought-after robots from its time. Controlled by a two-button remote which also serves as a battery holder, this unique creation showcases an array of interesting features: the first button initiates the robot’s walking motion while illuminating a light show within its mouth. Pressing the second button halts the robot’s movement, triggering its head to rotate, revealing a display of colors and spinning antennas enclosed within a clear dome. The door provides access to the robot’s inner workings and facilitates bulb replacement.

 

This battery-operated marvel by Alps stands as a testament to the company’s artistic ingenuity. Its design, characterized by its barrel-shaped chest and unique details like the opening chest compartment, sets it apart as a collector’s gem. It originally retailed as “Revolving Robot” in US catalogs for $2.98. Despite its vintage origins, Alps, now known as Alpine in Japan, continues its legacy as a prominent electronics manufacturer.

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