In 1933, Chicago was the host of the World’s Fair, Century of Progress, and Radio Steel was asked to be a part of the celebration. Antonio Pasin took on major debt to fund the construction of a 45 foot tall wood and plaster Coaster Boy statue depicting a boy riding a Liberty Coaster wagon. Below the Coaster Boy exhibit Pasin sold miniatures for 25 cents. During World War II, steel was essential war material; from 1942–1945, the company shifted production to portable five gallon Blitz cans for the US Army.
This gray non-slip footrest can be attached to Radio Flyer stroller trikes to help keep kids’ feet elevated and away from the pedals. The stroller trike is sold separately and recommended for kids younger than 2 years old. I have seen Radio Flyer wagons at local mercantile stores as of late and I’m sure there are some other places where they can be found. I have also noticed that these are not as easy to find as they used to be. If someone wants a Radio Flyer wagon but can’t find one locally, the Internet is a great place to shop.
If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Nice, though not unique — there’s one in Spokane, WA that children are allowed to climb. An employee’s workbench at the Radio Flyer prototype shop bears tools, supplies and figurines for inspiration.
The Liberty Coaster Company began producing the wooden bodied “No. 4 Liberty Coaster” in 1923. In 1927, Pasin replaced the wooden body with stamped steel, taking advantage of assembly line manufacturing techniques and earning him the nickname “Little Ford”. 1500 wagons a day rolled off assembly lines even during the Great Depression.
Now they are donating 1,000 every year to children’s hospitals across the country, including Carilion Children’s Hospital. Radio Flyer and Starlight have been doing these wagons for about 20 years and they’ve given more than 15,000 to hospitals in places where they’re needed. Doctors, nurses, child life specialists and caregivers across the US rely on these wagons every day as an integral part of a child’s pediatric care. “Our mission is to bring smiles to all children and create warm memories that last a lifetime. If we can help bring even one smile to kids enduring some of their hardest times, we’ve exceeded that mission with the Hero Wagon.” “It’s just been this incredible partnership,” says Pasin, who’s led the company since 1997 and is the grandson of Antonio Pasin, who founded Radio Flyer in 1917.
Well, here, finally is the version many of us dreamed of, complete with rear-mounted engine, spoiler and “butterfly” drag-style steering wheel. Since its release, it has also been released under names Hot Rod Wagon and Draggin’ Wagon. Especially during the pandemic with limited hospital visitors, Garone said frozen ride on toy simple items like the wagons can make a young patient feel less alone and help take them out of the moment. The wagon comes with an IV pole attachment, is made from medical-grade fabric that can easily be cleaned, and has a seatbelt with high, detachable walls, making for a comfortable and safe ride.
He carries a twinkle in his eye — that vanishes quickly on the subject of failure. Most of what gets developed in the prototype shop, though, never makes it that far. Tom Schlegel, executive vice president of design and business development — essentially head elf of Radio Flyer — explains in much blunter fashion. Wagons are a fun way to tote around toddlers between the ages of 2 and 5 years old.