Hot Wheels die-cast toy cars were introduced by Mattel in 1968. The idea for Hot Wheels was conceived by Elliot Handler, one of the co-founders of Mattel, who wanted to create a line of toy cars that would be more exciting and visually appealing than the existing toy cars on the market.
Elliot Handler has an idea
In the early 1960s, Handler noticed that his son, Kenneth, was playing with Matchbox toy cars that were not very visually appealing. He observed that they were made from low-quality materials, and the wheels and axles were often misaligned, making them difficult to play with. Handler saw an opportunity to create a better toy car, one that would be more durable, better-looking, and with improved performance, more fun to play with.
Handler’s vision for a new line of toy cars soon became a reality, thanks to the work of designer Harry Bentley Bradley. Bradley was given the task of creating a new line of die-cast toy cars that would be faster, sleeker, and more visually appealing than any other toy car on the market. Bradley spent months designing and testing different prototypes, eventually coming up with a design that featured low-friction wheels and axles, as well as a sleek and futuristic look.
The first Hot Wheels are released
The first Hot Wheels cars were released in 1968, and they quickly became popular with children and collectors alike. The cars were designed with a sleek and futuristic look, and many of them featured bright colors and bold graphics. They were also notable for their speed, thanks to the use of low-friction wheels and axles.
The Hot Wheels “Redline” series
One of the key innovations of Hot Wheels was the introduction of the “Redline” series in 1968. The first line of Hot Wheels Cars, known as The Original Sweet 16, were the first of the Red Line Series, named for the tires which had a red pin stripe on their sides.
There were sixteen castings released, eleven of them designed by Harry Bentley Bradley with assistance from Handler and Ryan. The first one produced was a dark blue “Custom Camaro”. The Redline series was an instant hit, and it helped to establish Hot Wheels as a major player in the toy car market.
Not just cars, but Hot Wheels race tracks too
Apart from manufacturing cars, Mattel also designed a racing track set that was available for purchase separately. The original track was constructed using a sequence of bright orange road sections that were arranged to form an oblong circular race track. Over the years, Mattel updated the track set, but the initial version featured one or sometimes two “superchargers.” These were faux service stations that the cars passed through on the tracks. The superchargers were equipped with battery-powered spinning wheels that would propel the cars forward along the tracks.
Hot Wheels continues to improve and innovate
The Hot Wheels brand was an astounding success, completely disrupting the small die-cast car industry from 1968 onwards. This success forced competitors such as Matchbox to rethink their concepts and scramble to recover lost ground. Despite this groundbreaking success, Harry Bentley Bradley, a former employee at Mattel, did not anticipate such a significant impact and left the company to return to the car industry. However, upon his departure, Mattel approached him to return and recommended his good friend, Ira Gilford, as a replacement. Gilford, who had recently left Chrysler, quickly accepted the job of designing the next Hot Wheels models. It was under Gilford’s direction that some of Hot Wheels’ greatest cars, such as the Twin Mill and Splittin’ Image, were developed.
Over the years, Hot Wheels has continued to innovate and evolve. The brand has released countless different models of cars, trucks, and other vehicles, and it has also introduced track sets, playsets, and other accessories to enhance the play experience.
Hot Wheels has also collaborated with many other brands over the years, creating special edition models based on popular movies, TV shows, and video games. Some of the most popular Hot Wheels collaborations include cars based on Star Wars, Marvel Comics, Batman, and the Fast and Furious franchise.
Today, Hot Wheels remains one of the most popular and beloved toy brands in the world. It has a dedicated fan base of collectors and enthusiasts, and new generations of children continue to discover the joy of playing with these iconic toy cars. Hot Wheels has become a cultural icon, with its cars featuring in movies, TV shows, and even video games. The brand has continued to evolve over the years, but it has never lost sight of its original goal: to create a better, more exciting toy car.
