For 100 years the Radio Flyer wagon has been a staple of childhood in America. On Thursday, a little red wagon of gargantuan proportions goes on display in Radio Flyer’s hometown of Chicago.
The world’s largest wagon according to Guinness World Records measures 27 feet long, 13 feet wide and weighs over 15,000 pounds. It is transported on a large flatbed truck and, once assembled, the 8-foot wheels actually roll.
“We wanted to roll out our wagon and say thank you to Chicagoans for supporting us for the last 100 years,” said Robert Pasin, chief wagon officer of Radio Flyer.
Created 20 years ago for the brand’s 80th anniversary, the wagon will be the centerpiece of a birthday party for the company at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave., from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Attendees will be able to take a picture with the giant wagon, as well as participate in free face painting and free giveaways, ranging from doughnuts at 8 a.m. to frozen pops at 1 p.m. Through a partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation, Radio Flyer will donate 2,000 wagons to children’s hospitals across the country.
The giant wagon was inspired by Coaster Boy, a 45-foot statue of a giant child in a giant wagon for the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago.
Radio Flyer has adapted to the times. The wooden wagon with steel wheels has evolved into customizable wagons made of various materials and fitted with sunshades and saddlebags in over 400 possible combinations. There is also a collapsible wagon. Though the company still targets the toting toddler demographic, it has expanded its product line into tricycles, scooters, bikes and even a battery-powered Tesla Model S for the kids.
“We’re always working to insert progress and revolutionary ideas into the toy industry,” Pasin said in an email.
With locations across the globe, Radio Flyer still calls Chicago home.
“Chicago has so much to do with our heritage and story,” Pasin said. “It’s truly a part of the brand’s DNA.”
Pasin is the grandson of founder Antonio Pasin, an Italian immigrant who at 19 years old launched Liberty Coaster Company in 1917 at 6041 W. Grand Ave. on Chicago’s West Side. Radio Flyer is still headquartered on Grand, though manufacturing has been outsourced.
Despite the changes wrought by a century, Radio Flyer has maintained its essence.
“Radio Flyer represents childhood and family,” Pasin said.
rduffer@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @DufferRobert
