Among the key innovators in the USA during the19th century

was a blacksmith turned agricultural equipment manufacturer by the name of John

Deere. His cast-steel plow and subsequent improvements to farming

implements and machinery enabled Midwestern farmers to increase their crop output.

His legacy to American farming made the Deere name and logo such a trusted brand

that not only does it adorn tractors and harvesters; it is also embellished on

a wide range of merchandise including John Deere toys.

Of course, it should be noted that John Deere toys are not the only brand of farm toys that are available in

the market. There are several other popular agricultural-themed toys and

collectibles in the USA like AGCO, Case-IH (International Harvester) and

Ford/New Holland. However, owning a genuine John Deere toy tractor is

indeed like owning a little piece of history because of the pioneering

contributions of John Deere.

Small Beginnings

Making small toys is as old as mankind’s existence.

Ancient civilizations everywhere like in India, China, the Middle East, Europe

and the Americas have been unearthed and found to contain evidence of dolls,

miniature earthenware and wheeled toys. It is no wonder that technological

advancements throughout history would eventually be mimicked into a

child’s plaything.

John Deere’s business started in 1837. However, his company did

not go into manufacturing tractors until the year 1918 when it purchased the

company that made Waterloo Boy tractors. Nevertheless, there are accounts of John

Deere toy tractors made from tin that were already being sold since

the 1920’s.

During World War II, acquisition of tin and iron were

strictly restricted which led to the scarcity of tin replica toys during

that era. After the war, the demand for metal toys went up. This was an

opportunity which an unemployed metalworker named Fred Ertl, Sr. took

advantage of by going into the die-cast model making business in 1945.

That year, Fred Sr. built his first toy tractor.

Made from aluminum, the toy was entirely home-made as it was cast in his

basement in Dubuque, Iowa. Although, it was a red Allis-Chalmers WC, it was

still an impressive replica; true testament of the detail and durability that

die-cast aluminum offered over traditional cast-iron toys. Thus, the Ertl Toy

Company was established.

Ertl and John Deere

The following year 1946, Fred Ertl, Sr. made his first John

Deere tractor replica, a faithful 1:16 scale model except for its aluminum

wheels. Shortly after, he made a second John Deere replica but this time,

he made the tires out of rubber.

At the start, the Ertl children led by 15 year old Fred Jr.

went store to store peddling their father’s product. So, Fred Sr. struck

a deal with the Eska Company to market the John Deere toys among John

Deere’s dealers. Deere & Company gave them licensing rights and

soon the marketing strategy proved to be a great success for the three

companies as the toy tractors instilled brand loyalty for the families

using John Deere products. By 1959, the Ertl Toy Company factory was

erected in Dyersville, Iowa.

Over time, Ertl grew to be the largest maker of die cast farm

toys. It would go on to build toys for Deere’s rival companies like

International Harvester. Eventually, other model makers like Spec Cast, and

Scale Models also began creating John Deere toys and other merchandise.

Nevertheless, Ertl remains the foremost John Deere toys maker to this

day. As a testimony to Ertl’s success, the Ertl factory in Dyersville

became the National Farm Toy Museum in 1986.