Strenco

Strenco was founded in 1954 as a wholesaler of fine toys. At the toy fair in Nuremberg in 1955, the company presented an extensive range of toys. In addition to the standard toys of the time, such as utility vehicles (cranes, excavators and the like), the ST-1 was also the first item in the catalog. A robot.

This robot was manufactured by the Georg Köhler company in Nuremberg for Strenco. An early patent specification from 1935 documents a spring drive for a running toy developed by Georg Köhler. It is possible that the running gear of the robot is a further development of this invention. Georg Köhler was a brilliant inventor; among other things, he also invented the famous car that does not fall off the edge of the table, an idea that was taken up by another well-known Nuremberg toy company. Unfortunately, Mr. Köhler often had to struggle with financial difficulties, which is why he sought cooperation with a sales partner such as Strenco.

Strenco manufactures the ST-1 robot as one of the first toys in the history of robotic toys. Unfortunately, the demand for this toy robot was rather low at the time, as cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles were the most sought-after products and thus the bestsellers in the toy industry. After some time, the tin robot finally disappeared from the Strenco catalog.

A few years later, Japanese toy companies took up the theme of toy robots again. In various shapes, colors and with further developed functions, such as battery operation, these toys found their way into most American children's rooms and enjoyed great popularity.

In 2004, on the occasion of Strenco's 50th anniversary, the story was continued with the new production of the anniversary model of the ST-1 in a limited gold edition. Further articles followed, including the Strenco ST-2 steam robot; you can read about this in our history.

Volker F. E. Strauss

CEO

Strausstoys / Strenco