NOREV Catalogue 2019 | Page 19

Origins Miniature car history is intimately linked to the toy history which goes back to the origins of humanity. We have archeological evidence of the first miniatures for every great ancient civilization, beginning with the civilizations of the very ancient times, whether it is that of the Valley of the Indus, Egypt or Mesopotamia. There are many examples in the form of animals or trolleys scale models carved in stone or wood. These objects on wheels, found on all continents and at all times are often beautiful and moving. The first miniature cars came around 1880, a time when parents were making toys for their children with wooden wheels. Then, in 1897 the Charles Rossignol house manufactures the first miniature steam car. From the 1930s to the 1970s, miniatures became widespread and each industrialized country saw the emergence of national leaders, such as : ■ Bing, Bub, Marklin, Wiking, Schuco, Siku in Germany. ■ JEP, , (which will first manufacture Citroën toys and then Renault toys), Solido, , Joustra, Norev, Majorette in France. ■ Dinky Toys, Britain , Corgi, Matchbox in Great ■ Tekno in Denmark, Paya, Mira in Spain, Mercury, Polistil in Italy, and ACE, then Hot wheels in the United States, Bandai, Diapet,Tomy and Kyosho in Japan. The public passion for miniature cars intensified after the Second World War, a period during which the 1:43 scale became very popular thanks to Dinky Toys. Starting from the 50s, manufacturers began multiplying and would end up being more than 150 to market miniature cars in different scales. During these years the company Norev bought their competitors Spot-On, JRD and CIJ, as well as the resin models 17