By Deborah Reed

deborah@wktv.org

An iconic name made an appearance at Woodland Mall during the 28th Street Metro Cruise event Aug. 25-26, 2023.

A legacy that stretches over 100 years, Radio Flyer is one of the most recognized names in the toy industry.

Founded in 1917 by young Italian immigrant Antonio Pasin, Radio Flyer began as a hobby – a coaster wagon that he created and sold to local hardware stores. That first line of wagons sold as fast as he could make them.

Pasin christened the wagon the Liberty Coaster, later renaming his invention Radio Flyer – the Original Little Red Wagon®. The combination of “radio” and “flyer” was born from Pasin’s fascination with airplanes and radios.

Today, Radio Flyer continues to be a Chicago-based, family-owned company committed to creating high-quality products.

“Our mission is to create smiles and warm memories that last a lifetime,” Radio Flyer’s website says.

Over the years, Radio Flyer has transformed how they thought about their brand, reimagining their product line to help serve the entire family. Through it all, they have stayed true to their legacy.

Antonio Pasin was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2003.

To learn more about Radio Flyer’s history and products, visit here.