“That was just a brilliant brand-building idea, because the World’s Fair was such a huge deal,” Robert says. Whether visitors left with a tiny wagon or not, they undoubtedly saw the impressive structure, and so couldn’t have left without some knowledge of the Radio Flyer. Fast forward to the 1950s, when Sputnik and “I Love Lucy” came on the scene. It was during this time, when fear of communism loomed, that the little red wagon cemented its status as an American icon. “Sooner or later you’ll have to buy the kids a big red coaster wagon.
Simpler times made the wagon the perfect vehicle to transport everything we needed for a Fire Island stay. Today’s society needs more, giving way to large carts to now transport more, making our little red wagon a thing of the past. A near-century goes by, replete with ultra-cute photos of children being pulled by friends, siblings or parents in Radio Flyers. frozen ride on toy One hundred million were built, and the company put a billion wheels on the road. But in 1997, Antonio’s grandson Robert became CEO, and he soon realized the unprofitable, privately held company needed a thorough modernizing—or it would be out of business in a few years. The red hubcaps help prevent damage to the wagon wheels from particles of dirt and rocks.
From there, the team sketched, prototyped and tested custom versions of the iconic wagon that could best meet the needs of patients and hospital staff. After several months of design and production, the Hero Wagon was born. This wagon includes Radio Flyer’s patented one-hand folding design making it easy to store– ideal for hospitals’ tight hallways and restricted storage space. Today, Radio Flyer still makes those red wagons, but it also makes electric bikes and scooters, tricycles, bounce houses—and Teslas for kids. The factory on the west side of Chicago closed in 2004 (it’s the design office now), and most products are currently made in China. Now you can get a fold-up fabric wagon with a metal frame for $70, and models that are pushed like strollers or pulled like a wagon for $200 to $250.
There are two models, both very retro styled, offering pedal assist and a throttle. The $1800 M880 is a mid-tail cargo bike, capable of hauling 300 pounds. It has five-level pedal assist, an LCD display with an odometer, a 500-watt rear hub motor, both a brake and an LED headlight, and a 48-volt, 720-watt-hour battery.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. The ride-on toy can tip forward when a young child is riding it, posing fall and injury hazards to children. Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and online at and from August 2017 through January 2018 for about $350. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled wagons and contact Radio Flyer for a full refund. Safety measures included the installation of a glass panel, tinted red to blend in, across the front of the wagon to eliminate a blind spot. For the wheels, he used moon disc hubcaps—the kind used on drag racers—painted white and topped with a red PVC cap.
If you want to get really fancy, you can even add a bow so it’s all ready for gifting. This was the only 2-seater razor ride ons wagon we tested with a reclining seat! That includes stroller wagons that are several times as expensive.
To mimic the original wagon’s rounded corners, Mangum split a length of large pipe four ways and welded a piece in each corner. He made a foldable black tongue with a handle that extends 12 feet above the ground. Mangum got the idea to build the wagon from a couple in Alaska who built a fiberglass, two-seater version based on a small truck chassis. Mangum wanted his to accomodate more passengers, so he started with a 1987 Ford ambulance equipped with a police package.
We researched 25 stroller wagons and chose 11 to purchase and test extensively. The Radio Flyer Discovery performed surprisingly well given that it is one-fourth the cost of some wagons we tested and half the price of most of its 2-seater peers. More important than the longevity of the souvenirs themselves, though, Pasin had indeed ensured the lasting popularity of his full-size product. In any case, the company was performing admirably in the midst of the Great Depression, churning out 1,500 wagons per day on average through a Ford-like assembly line process. The Radio Flyers and several other brands were marketed towards both boys and girls—a rarity—and eventually adults, since the wagons could serve just as well for gardening and other yard work.
Although only one of the two seats reclines, this makes it possible for at least one toddler to nap upright while another is sitting on the other side. The Discovery Stroll ‘N Wagon is among the lowest cost stroller wagons available however it has some features like a single reclining seat which some competitors don’t have. It is designed with a zip-down side to form a bench that no other wagon has. Designed for Starlight by Radio Flyer, the Hero Wagon has an IV pole attachment, making it easier for all patients to enjoy a wagon ride. Plus, each wagon features seat belts for safety, smooth surfaces, and durable fabric that is easily sanitized by hospital staff between each use.
Radio Flyer now also offers additional toys such as a bounce house and a child walker as the company expands further into the toy market while remaining true to its wagon roots. Now that our kiddos are older and we’ve transitioned to “sports parents”, the stroller wagon is the perfect fit for our family. It can still go from farmer’s markets and park dates with us, but it can also hold a ton of gear, and then become a bench seat when we get there.