The Making of Lionel Trains – a Model Train Icon
Joshua Lionel Cowen of the now iconic Lionel Trains was born in 1877 to Jewish immigrants. He came to America, landing in New York with his family just after the Civil War. This was a time of change for everyone, including Cowen, not just with emigrating to the United States, but it was the time of the industrial revolution. Edison had just created the electric light and trains signaled the progress of change. The west and east were finally connected in America via the Central and Union Pacific railroads, this led to a sense of expansion, optimism and exciting possibilities for some. It made sense that Cowen would become an inventor after growing up in the time of such industrial changes and transitions. As a college drop out, he had been quite productive, being credited around the turn of the century with some notable inventions, including the flashlight, and a patent for a device used to ignite the photographic flash of a camera.
It’s rumored that Lionel Cowen made his first toy train before the age of ten. He carved a small train out of wood and fixed a small steam engine to it. Unfortunately, his parents kitchen was damaged when the steam exploded the engine. Despite this exploding mishap, Cowen was undeterred and eventually founded the Lionel Corporation around the turn of the century. This was the time when passenger rail travel was fascinating and cutting edge. The then modern technology enchanted adults and children alike.
The first successful Lionel train was the Electric Express. Ironically this train was not designed to be a toy or something for hobbyist. Its intended purpose was that of a store display gimmick. As a flat gondola train carrying featured merchandise around circular track in a store display window, the Electric Express simultaneously succeeded and failed. No one paid any attention to the contents of the display train, instead the electric train itself generated all the interest and many request to purchase it. Lionel Cowen took notice of this and focused Lionel Corporation on what we know and love them for, model trains.
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