Chapter 77: LEGO
These Toy Figures.
They reminded Colin of another "century toy" also born during The Great Depression – LEGO bricks.
Of course, at this time, the concept of LEGO only existed in Colin's mind.
Even its founder, Ole, was still just a carpenter living in a remote village in Denmark, occasionally making toys for children with his exquisite woodworking skills.
Early LEGO toys were not much different from the Toy Figures made in Fischer's small workshop. They were all wooden toys like various Figurines, animals, Automobiles, and small houses. However, later in its development, Ole was inspired by a British product called "Self-locking Bricks," which gave him the idea to standardize LEGO toys into interlocking bricks, eventually bringing it to fruition.
Of course, the reason Colin thought of this was not because he was particularly interested in the development history of LEGO toys, but because he had some ideas about its final product, LEGO toys themselves.
In later generations, LEGO's development had basically matured. Various toy products built with LEGO were countless, and the standardization of LEGO bricks greatly increased their playability. This method of building all sorts of things with endless assembly methods, allowing for complete freedom, almost completely removed any limitations on how LEGO could be played. Everything in the known world could be recreated using LEGO bricks as parts; everything in the unknown world could also be imagined using LEGO bricks as parts.
And this also meant that if Colin was willing, he could also use this method to turn Superman into LEGO.
In the future, due to the development of LEGO, others would need to collaborate with them, obtaining Licensing to manufacture Merchandise. But for now, Colin could completely take their place and create his own LEGO Superman.
As soon as this thought popped into Colin's mind, it could no longer be reined in.
...
"Injection Molding Machine?"
Inside the Messenger Newspaper Office, facing Colin's question, Jack Liebowitz's face showed a clear expression of confusion. He frowned in thought for a moment, then finally asked, looking bewildered, "What is that?"
Well, the idea of producing LEGO Superman was too good to be true. This caused Colin to overlook an important issue: in this era, the industrialization of plastic had not yet fully matured. This chemical product, invented in the 1870s, underwent a long evolution, only truly entering its mature stage of large-scale application in the mid-1940s. Before that, in fact, LEGO production was still primarily wood-based. In fact, Fisher-Price's first toy made from plastic wouldn't appear until the early 1950s. During this period, most toys were still largely made from metal and wood. Therefore, this meant that the birth of LEGO Superman would require a period of waiting.
Inside the Newspaper Office, he came to his senses. A look of regret couldn't help but appear on Colin's face. However, he did not give up on the development of LEGO Superman. Since he couldn't produce actual plastic LEGOs, then wooden LEGOs would also be acceptable. Once Fisher-Price's first Superman Action Figures were launched, Colin planned to start working on the production of LEGO Superman. The reason he had to wait until then was not only to use the first Superman Action Figures to test the product's market reception, but also because Colin harbored the idea of acquiring Fisher-Price. Once the Superman Action Figures were popular in the market, after experiencing the hot sales of Superman toys, how could Fisher-Price easily give up this product Patent again? From the development in later generations, Colin clearly understood the talents of the Fisher-Price company's founders in toy manufacturing and sales. Especially in the production of infant and toddler toys, the future Fisher-Price would take the lead.
Newborns might not be able to understand the Superman Comic stories in newspapers or Messenger Comics. But they would definitely play with toys. Even if they didn't know the prototype of the toy in their hands, the image of Superman would subtly be outlined in their young minds from the infant cradles they lay in and the baby toys they played with since childhood.
...
Over the next few days, Colin traveled back and forth between the Newspaper Office and Fischer's toy workshop in Churchville. He participated in the production of Superman Action Figures. The image of Superman was not only the current symbol of the Messenger Newspaper but also influenced the condensation of Colin's Mark and the collection of Faith. Therefore, he naturally couldn't casually License it out like Disney. He certainly didn't want to see Superman's head appear on inappropriate items one day.
"I think the chest area could be adjusted further to make the 'S' emblem on Superman's chest more three-dimensional..."
Inside the toy workshop, Colin offered suggestions for Superman's first toy model. The first Superman Action Figures produced by Fischer's workshop were still made from their most familiar material, wood. Each figurine was just under three centimeters tall, with the Cape carved into its back, and its hands on its hips, striking Superman's classic pose.
"But if we do that, the time to produce one Superman toy will increase. I think Printing could be used instead," Margaret voiced her differing opinion.
"If Printing can achieve that, then I have no objection." He left professional matters to professionals. Faced with Margaret's objection, Colin did not stubbornly refuse. His sole purpose was to ensure the smooth launch of the Superman Action Figures. As for the toy manufacturing process itself, as long as his requirements were met, minor details could be fully handled by Margaret and her team.
"Besides wooden toys, I think cloth Action Figures are also a good option. In some ways, cloth Action Figures are simpler and more convenient to produce than wooden toys, have higher output, and are less prone to damage," Helen offered a suggestion, looking at the Superman wooden Figurine in Colin's hand.
Although Fisher-Price had rich manufacturing experience and creativity with wooden toys, this didn't mean they had no involvement with other types of toys. Before establishing Fisher-Price, Helen had managed a toy store in Binghamton, New York, and therefore had experience with various types of toys. Plush toys had always held enormous potential in the children's market. They were also one of children's main toys, and even many adults collected Action Figures.
"Perhaps we could first try producing a batch of Superman plush toys to see the market's reaction."
After a discussion, Herman, having consulted Colin's opinion, finally decided on the design and craftsmanship for the first batch of Superman Action Figures.