Remco

Lore & Background

Remco was founded in 1949 by cousins Isaac Heller and Saul Robbins in New York City. Heller's background as an electronics technician in the US Navy influenced the company's first products, which were two-way communication devices such as walkie-talkies. The name 'Remco' was a portmanteau of 'remote control.' Early TV commercials used the slogan 'every boy wants a Remco toy.' In the 1950s, the company produced items like the Tiny Tim Pocket Toy Radio, Movieland Drive-In Theatre, Coney Island Penny Machine, Dick Tracy Electronic Wrist Radios, and Yankee Doodle Secret Rocket Test Center.

In the 1960s, Remco expanded its line and adapted its slogan to 'every boy wants a Remco toy... and so do girls!' This shift included the production of several doll lines such as the Littlechap family, Baby Walk Alone, Snugglebun, Heidi, Baby Glad ‘N Sad, Bottle Baby, and Tippy Tumbles. In 1964, the short-lived Hamilton's Invaders line of monstrous insects was launched. Remco also acquired many licenses, including Star Trek, Batman, The Munsters, Lost in Space, Dave Clark Five, and The Beatles.

Heller and Robbins sold the company in 1966 to pursue other business interests. Remco filed for bankruptcy in 1971 and was purchased by Azrak-Hamway International (AHI), which kept the Remco brand name to commercialize the Universal Monsters line of horror figures. In 1984, AHI nearly acquired the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) toy license but lost out to LJN. In 1997, Jakks Pacific acquired Remco and AHI's Child Guidance from Azrak-Hamway, and the brand was absorbed into its other products.

Reader's Guide

Remco's significance lies in its early integration of electronics into toys, beginning with walkie-talkies and radio devices that capitalized on founder Isaac Heller's naval electronics training. The company's name itself—a portmanteau of 'remote control'—underscored this technological focus. Over two decades, Remco evolved from producing communication toys to a broad range of playthings, including dolls and licensed properties from popular culture such as Star Trek, Batman, and The Beatles. This adaptability helped the brand remain relevant during the 1960s, though the founders sold the company in 1966. After bankruptcy in 1971, the Remco name was preserved by Azrak-Hamway International, which used it for horror figure lines. The brand's legacy continued under Jakks Pacific after 1997, though it was eventually absorbed. Remco's trajectory—from innovative electronics to licensed toys—reflects broader shifts in the toy industry during the mid-20th century, and its products remain collectible among enthusiasts.