Document - Rochester Institute of Technology

TINY
TRANSPORTATION
Tiny Transportation is a collaborative effort between the students in the
2012-2013 Applied Imaging Systems minor at the Rochester Institute of Technology
and the National Museum of Play at The Strong. This project showcases various modes
of travel in toy form dating from 1903 to 2001.
In this group project students implemented an imaging systems workflow which consisted
of studio capture, color management, and book design, along with digital and print output.
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 5
1903
Curved Dash Oldsmobile
ca. 1903
Chicago, IL
8
This toy is modeled after the Curved Dash Oldsmobile. It is credited as being
the first mass-produced automobile and was in production from 1901 to 1907.
Its 5 horsepower engine allowed the car to reach a top speed of 20 mph.
Much of the car’s success was due to a fire in 1901 that destroyed many other car
models before they were approved for production.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 9
1908
Pierce Great-Arrow
ca. 1908
Winchendon, MA
12
Pierce-Arrow was an American automobile manufacturer based in
Buffalo, New York, and was active from 1901 to 1938. Although best known
for its expensive luxury cars, Pierce-Arrow also manufactured
commercial trucks, fire trucks, camp trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles.
This toy is modeled after the Great Arrow, a larger and more luxurious car
that Pierce-Arrow designed in 1904 for the upscale market. The solidly built,
four-cylinder car won the Glidden Trophy in 1905, an endurance run to
celebrate the most reliable car.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 13
1910
Royal Mail Coach
ca. 1910
England
16
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in Great Britain and
this toy is a detailed representation of the coaches used in the late 18th to early
19th century. Coaches were used in Europe to make the postal delivery
services faster and more efficient. The mail coach was designed to fit a driver,
a seat on the outside for the post office employee, and room for up to four
passengers on the inside. Traveling was done mostly at night due to the roads
being less busy.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 17
1915
Green Limousine
ca. 1915
Nuremberg, Germany
20
Early limousines started out much smaller than their modern counterparts.
This particular toy limousine was modeled after the styling of luxury vehicles.
It has a spring-wound movement, and features brake and reverse levers that
help bring out the imagination of anyone playing with it.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 21
1920
Sedan
ca. 1920
France
24
This spring-wound sedan features a working steering wheel and a working
spotlight powered by an onboard battery. The manufacturer, Jouet de Paris
specialized in quality toy trains and cars, and operated until 1965.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 25
1921
Roadster
ca. 1921
Freeport, IL
28
This toy car was made by Structo Manufacturing Company to represent one of
the classic modes of transportation, the roadster. It has a heavily geared motor
as well as a spare wheel on the rear. The fine detailing of this car is a signature
of the company that promises, “Structo Toys, make men of boys”.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 29
1925
Coal Delivery Wagon
ca. 1925
Winchendon, MA
32
This metal delivery wagon is a pull toy and features details made with
leather, paint, and paper. Pull toys were first manufactured in the United States
in the mid to late 1800s. Cast iron wheels and other elements were used in
conjunction with tin plates to create children’s pull toys. Since molds were
used to manufacture these toys, they could easily be mass-produced.
Some toys were simple carts and rolling vehicles that were propelled by hand,
while others came equipped with the traditional pull toy string.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 33
1927
Tin Lizzie
ca. 1927
New York, NY
36
The Ford Model T, also known as the Tin Lizzie, is an automobile that was
produced by Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company from September 1908 to
October 1927. “Tin Lizzie” was a nickname given to the car due to its low cost
and quick, lizard-like movements. The Model T was the first automobile
mass-produced on moving assembly lines, making it affordable for the middle
class. This “Tin Lizzie” toy is hand painted with amusing slogans and graffiti,
a common practice by owners of these cars, especially college boys wishing
to attract girls with their humor.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 37
1928
Ferdinand Strauss
Double Decker Bus
40
ca. 1928
New York, NY
This double-decker bus made by Ferdinand Strauss Corporation is a rare
collectible. With two long benches inside the bus, and ten additional benches
on the second level, it has plenty of room to accommodate its passengers.
This spring-wound vehicle was made with sheet metal and has both
hand-painted details and lithographed text.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 41
1940
Milk Delivery Wagon
ca. 1940
West Cummington, MA
44
Before the introduction of motor vehicles, most goods had to be moved about
by horse-drawn delivery wagons. Before inexpensive refrigeration existed,
milkmen would deliver fresh milk daily to customer’s homes. This toy vehicle’s
noble steed was handcrafted out of felt by artisan Alice C. Steele.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 45
1950
1950 Cadillac Sedan
ca. 1950
Japan
48
After World War II, Cadillac cars had many features that became synonymous
with the classic American automobile such as tailfins, wraparound windshields,
and chrome and stainless steel details. These innovative styling features led to
it being awarded Motor Trend magazine’s first ever “Car of the Year” award.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 49
1950
1955 Jaguar XKE
Sedan Fastback
52
ca. 1950
Japan
Apart from its flashy paint job, The 1955 Jaguar XKE Sedan Fastback
“flower power” toy car emulates the style of cars that many Americans were
driving during the 1950s. A fastback is a type of car whose roof starts
to continuously slope down the back. Many fastback styled cars were made
in America during this time period and were also known as “torpedo backs”.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 53
1950
Pioneer PX-3
ca. 1950 - 1960
Japan
56
This wind-up whale hails from the 1950’s, when space travel excited many young
children who dreamed of growing up to be astronauts. When operating, the
whale moves forward in a rocking motion, the mouth opens and closes, the side
panels flap, and the eyeballs roll around inside their blue domes.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 57
1954
Tonka Parcel Delivery Van
ca. 1954
Mound, MN
60
Construction and maintenance contractors often use these types of vans to
store and transport cargo. This toy is styled after the international Harvester
Metro van, which was used in most major cities for deliveries of baked goods,
parcels and other items. Models similar to this delivery van have been used for
decades since.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 61
1960
Volkswagen Beetle
ca. 1960
Minnesota, USA
64
The Volkswagen Beetle is an economy car produced by the German auto maker
Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003. With over 21 million manufactured, the
Beetle is the longest-running and most manufactured car of a single design
platform, worldwide. Production of the VW Beetle continued throughout
World War II and later expanded to European and Western markets.
Volkswagen promoted the 1962 Volkswagen Beetle by asking buyers to
“Think small.” While the overall appearance of the Beetle changed little over its
life span, it received over 78,000 incremental changes during its production.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 65
1960
Lumber Truck
ca. 1960
USA
68
In the decades following World War II, lumber trucks became a common sight.
Lumber trucks would pass through towns at any hour, day or night, to transport
finished wood out of mills. Like this scaled down version, lumber trucks carry
large logs of wood that are all placed on the back of the truck bed. This toy not
only came with nine logs, but a working handle to raise and lower its load.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 69
1960
14 Wheeler
Semi-Truck
72
ca. 1960
New York, NY
The technology to mold toy vehicles from plastic came about after World War II.
This Big Rig, manufactured by Louis Marx and Company, has a red plastic cab,
blue sheet metal chassis, and rubber tires. Semi-trucks became a more common
sight on the road after the passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 73
1960
Recreational Van
ca. 1960
Germany
76
Recreational vehicles are part van, part home. The goals and intentions of RV
owners vary, but they all enjoy a lifestyle that is free from worrying about where
to stay for the night. While it is not a direct copy, this toy is most likely stylized
after the Volkswagen Bus that was common in the 1960’s.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 77
1960
Crusader 101
Remote Control Car
80
ca. 1960
New Jersey
Upon its release in 1960, the Crusader 101 Remote Control Car quickly became
one of the most popular toy cars on the market. It was not modeled after one
specific car, but rather a combination of elements of several cars. Its influences
range from the Pontiac’s pointed hood, to Cadillac’s taillights, and the overall
styling of a Lincoln Continental. Its larger size allowed for details unseen in
previous toy cars, such as adjustable sun visors, movable steering wheel, and
enough trunk space for a spare tire.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 81
1970
Tonka Hydraulic Dump Truck
ca. 1970
USA
84
Children have enjoyed playing with their Tonka Trucks for generations.
The toy’s durability encourages them to be used in the mud and
gravel, just like the real vehicles they are modeled after.
In 2001, The National Museum of Play at The Strong introduced
Tonka trucks into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 85
1970
1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
ca. 1970
Japan
88
Camaros were originally designed as a competitor to Ford’s Mustang.
Upon this car’s release, it was classified as either a pony or a muscle car.
This toy car represents the style of the second generation of Camaros,
which were built bigger and heavier and whose overall styling was more
like a Ferrari than the first generation.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 89
1999
1953 Chevrolet Corvette
ca. 1999
Spain
92
This die-cast model of a 1953 Corvette represents one of the more popular
and enduring sports cars available to American consumers. The Corvette
first appeared in 1953 and is still in production over 50 years later. At the time,
Chevrolet’s Corvette, along with Ford Motor Company’s Thunderbird, defined
the classic American sports car. This toy version has excellent attention to detail
and working hinges.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T r a n s p o r t a ti o n t o y s 93
2001
1957 Plymouth Fury
ca. 2001
China
96
The Fury was introduced in 1957 when famous automobile designer Virgil Exner
teamed up with Chrysler. Together they introduced the Forward Look, a design
theme known for its use of long hoods, short decks, and fins. Even this smaller
version conveys the aggressive yet sleek look of the Fury.
National Museum of Play at the strong
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 97
Please use the 3D glasses provided to enjoy the images on the following pages.
Like the toys in Tiny Transportation, 3D anaglyph images have been enjoyed by both
children and adults for decades. Despite the dated technology, red/cyan 3D images
have proven the test of time, giving life to flat images and teaching children about
depth and perception.
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 99
Project Manager
Sam Cannon
Design
Sam Cannon
Denis Doorly
Ira Morris
Photography
Alex Bohn
Denis Doorly
Marcus Elliott
Matthew Kashtan
Sean Kolonay
Ira Morris
Christopher Rice
Katie Thompson
Corinne Weber
Amanda Yanez
Retouching
Marcus Elliott
Matthew Kashtan
Katie Thompson
Text
Heather Casey
Denis Doorly
Christopher Rice
Corinne Weber
Harry Yatkowitz
Amanda Yanez
3D Phantograms
Sean Kolonay
File Management
Livingston Maclake
Andrew Ngu
102
National Museum of Play at the strong
We would like to acknowledge the people who helped make this book possible.
First and foremost, we would like to thank The National Museum of Play at The Strong
for allowing us access to their collection and Lauren Sodano for her assistance
in the archives, as well as providing background information on the artifacts.
Nitin Sampat, Associate Professor at RIT, oversaw and assisted in the production.
We would also like to thank Bruce Ian Meader for his guidance in layout design and
typography. Thank you to the Printing Applications Lab at RIT for providing access to their
press, and John Dettmer for his technical expertise. Mohawk Paper should also be thanked
for its generous donation of the paper used to produce this book. Last but certainly not
least we would like to thank the CIAS Dean’s office for funding the production.
T I N Y T r a n s p o r t a ti o n 103
TINY TRANSPORTATION
© IS Press
Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner.
Content
The toys featured in this book are a part of the
National Museum of Play at The Strong’s permanent collection.
Access to these artifacts was generously made possible by the
collection’s manager at the museum, Lauren Sodano.
Production
Students in the Imaging Workflows Class
Applied Imaging Systems Minor, Spring 2013
Capture
Canon 5D Mark II
Profoto Acute Pack with Acute Pro Heads
X-Rite Color Checker
Processing
Adobe Lightroom 4
Photoshop CS6
ProfileMaker 5.1
Layout
Adobe InDesign CS6
Typefaces
Neutraface 2
Paper
Mohawk Superfine Smooth Ultrawhite i-Tone 216gsm
Printer
HP Indigo 7000 Digital Press
RIT Printing Applications Lab
104
National Museum of Play at the strong