Schoenhut

Founded by Albert Schoenhut (1849-1912), an immigrant originally from Germany, Schoenhut served as the largest toy company in the U.S. during the early twentieth century, leaving a legacy of significant contributions to toy manufacturing, particularly in the realm of pioneering toy pianos. Following Albert Schoenhut's background in repairing toy pianos for John Wanamaker's Department Store, a notable nineteenth-century retail pioneer, the company achieved success through its manufacturing of musical instruments, dollhouses, doll furniture, and other products, expanding its reach. Preceding Schoenhut's death in 1912, the company continued to serve as a major player within the toy manufacturing industry, but faced a steady decline due to a decrease in demand for wooden toys, as plastic toys gained popularity, contrasting with the Schoenhut company's expertise in wooden toys during the early and mid twentieth century. The increased demand for plastic toys that solidified during the first and latter half of the 1900s, characterized by the Cold War and World War II, ultimately led to the company's eventual closure. Reestablished at the end of the twentieth century, with a focus on manufacturing toy pianos, the Schoenhut company has played an essential role in contributing to the cultural legacy of the evolution of toy manufacturing.