For a more detailed account of the company’s early history, refer to the following link. However, in 1932, John was introduced to the HO scale train concept by a British friend who told him of this new product that was going gangbusters across the sea in the UK, and would likely do the same in the US, prompting the company to immediately shift its focus to HO scale trains. James’ engineering skill, which enabled him to create small yet high-performing electric motors, led to the company’s first ever product – model boats. They would partner in 1926 to form the Mantua Toy and Metal Products company. At the age of 23 he emigrated to the United States to work as an electrician, where he became friends with James P Thomas who was a trained tool and die maker. John N Tyler was born in 1902 in England where he spent most of his childhood, and grew a strong passion for model trains. Part 4: The Final Days of Tyco (Coming soon) Part 2: Early 80s Toys and Tyco vs Lego 1982-1985 Note: Tyco Toys is not related to Tyco International. In this series ‘The History of Tyco’, I will explore their humble family roots, groundbreaking innovations, legal battles, and the series of events that led to their eventual downfall, shedding light on what happened to Tyco RC and Tyco Toys, one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world who seemed to just disappear overnight. Their reach spanned from model trains to slot cars, radio control toys, lego-style sticks, action figures, and TV.

However you knew them, Tyco played a part in the lives of billions of children around the world by dominating the toy industry from the 1940s until the 1990s.

Tyco 3d print slot car