Hilary Page Toys
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The toy industry has always been a hot bed of plagiarism. Companies copy others, inspired by either inspirational design ideas or commercial success. Page was more of an innovator than a copier, and although may have been inspired by things that came before, re-invented play patterns that have really stood the test of the time.
He patented products extensively in the UK and other markets in which he had distribution, but failed to protect his ideas in all countries. The commercial success of Kiddicraft meant that many others capitalised on Page's ideas and innovation. Page's passion was in the creation of the idea and he often moved onto the 'next big thing' before making a commercial success of what had gone before.
Here we list some of those who copied Page, to a greater or lesser extent.
Lego deserve a special mention, were it not for Page then they would not be one of the three biggest toy companies in the world. They themselves continued to improve what they initially copied and created one of the greatest commercial successes of all time. Page however deserves some acknowledgement for his part in this global phenomenon.
L & I Glenn, 463 Auburn Road, Hawthorn East, E3 Melbourne Telephone WA3382
Melbourne based plastics manufacturer in the 1940's & 50's.
In 1946 L & I Glenn imported a 2oz 'Windsor' injection moulding machine from the UK to Australia.
This is the same machine Page was using in the UK and the same machine that Lego bought in 1947. It is documented that Lego received samples of Page's bricks with the machine so it seems highly likely that L & I Glenn would have too. It's ironic that his own developments were distributed around the world by the people who were manufacturing for him.
Copied Hilary Page's Interlocking Building Cube and Stacking Beakers.
Photographs courtesy of Beryll Roehl / https://www.instagram.com/fantastic.brick/?hl=en
Other references
https://collections.qm.qld.gov.au/objects/SH53784/nurseryland-kewpie-doll
Disc Rattle Photographs courtesy of Warwick Henderson
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