Remco Industries
25 years in operation (1949–1974)
About Remco Industries
Remco produced innovative battery-operated toys and games marketed aggressively through TV commercials. Their battery-operated toys were often electric versions of popular toy concepts, and they also produced action figures and doll lines.
History of Remco Industries
Remco — from "remote control" — was founded on the idea of putting electronics and battery power into inexpensive toys, and it did so with a confidence that produced some genuinely ambitious products. Its speciality was the big-box toy: a large, impressive, battery-driven object that dominated a Christmas morning.
The Mighty Matilda aircraft carrier, the Barracuda submarine with its firing torpedoes, the Johnny Reb cannon that lobbed shells across a living room, and the Lost in Space robot are the pieces the company is remembered for. Remco also produced electric football and hockey games, walkie-talkies, telephones, dolls and licensed character toys, and was an aggressive early television advertiser — its "Every boy wants a Remco toy" campaign is a period artefact in itself.
The company overextended and failed in 1971, was reorganised, and ended in 1974; the name was later used by Azrak-Hamway. The original Remco material, particularly the large licensed items, is now well collected.
Timeline
- 1949Remco Industries is established in Newark, New Jersey
- 1955Battery-operated and electronic toys become the company's identity
- 1961Johnny Reb cannon and large military toys are major sellers
- 1966The Lost in Space robot and other licensed television toys are produced
- 1971The company fails and is reorganised
- 1974Production under the original Remco ends
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Remco Lost in Space Robot
- Remco electric football game
- Remco Mighty Matilda aircraft carrier
- Remco Barracuda submarine
- Remco Johnny Reb cannon
Identifying & Dating Remco Industries Toys
- Look for "REMCO" moulded or printed on the toy with "Remco Industries" and a copyright date, plus "Made in U.S.A." on earlier production.
- Licensed items carry a licensor copyright line — Space Productions for Lost in Space — which dates them precisely.
- Boxes are large, graphically bold and are the primary collecting object.
Collector's Notes
- Completeness is the problem with Remco. These were large toys with many small accessories — shells, torpedoes, aircraft, figures — and almost all of them are missing. Check against published contents.
- Licensed television items are the highest value, and the Lost in Space robot in particular has been reproduced and reissued.
- Battery compartments corrode, and 1960s plastic yellows and becomes brittle. Boxed examples in original condition are scarce and priced accordingly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Remco Industries founded?
Remco Industries was founded in 1949, based in Newark, NJ.
Is Remco Industries still in business?
No. Remco Industries ceased operations in 1974, after 25 years in business.
What is Remco Industries best known for?
Remco Industries is best known for Remco Lost in Space Robot, Remco electric football game, Remco Mighty Matilda aircraft carrier, among other toys.
Where was Remco Industries located?
Remco Industries was based in Newark, NJ.
What kinds of toys did Remco Industries make?
Remco Industries is categorized under battery operated, action figures, vehicles, games.
How can you identify genuine Remco Industries toys?
Look for "REMCO" moulded or printed on the toy with "Remco Industries" and a copyright date, plus "Made in U.S.A." on earlier production. Licensed items carry a licensor copyright line — Space Productions for Lost in Space — which dates them precisely. Boxes are large, graphically bold and are the primary collecting object.
Are Remco Industries toys valuable?
Completeness is the problem with Remco. These were large toys with many small accessories — shells, torpedoes, aircraft, figures — and almost all of them are missing. Check against published contents. Licensed television items are the highest value, and the Lost in Space robot in particular has been reproduced and reissued. Battery compartments corrode, and 1960s plastic yellows and becomes brittle. Boxed examples in original condition are scarce and priced accordingly.