Tin toys were among the earliest toys made for sale in America. Early in the 19th century (1800s), some New England tinsmiths began to use their scrap pieces to make tin toys. These toys quickly became popular. It wasn't long before factories began to specialize in making tin toys.

Tin toys were cut from tin plate, which was actually tin-coated sheet iron. The parts were then soldered together. (Soldered means the parts were fused together with melted metal.) Many of the toys were decorated in bright colors and lettering.

The popularity of tin toys grew steadily after the Civil War and continued well into the 20th century (1900s). Most of the tin toys remaining today date from 1870 or later.