Ohio Art Company
| File:Ohio Art Company logo.png | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Template:OTC Expert | |
| Founded | Archbold, Ohio, 1908 |
| Founder | Henry Winzeler |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Toys, Games, Color Lithography |
| Website | Ohioart.com |
The Ohio Art Company is a U.S.-based manufacturing enterprise established in 1908 and headquartered in Bryan, Ohio. The firm focuses on producing custom metal lithography items for specialty premium markets and food container sectors, including food tins, DVD cases, enclosures, and vintage-style signage. Previously, the company was involved in toy production.
History
Founded by Henry Winzeler in 1908 in Archbold, Ohio, the company initially crafted metal picture frames and novelty goods marketed across the country. In 1912, it moved operations to Bryan, Ohio, where it achieved success with its Cupid Awake/Cupid Asleep picture frames and pioneered metal lithography techniques for wood-grain effect metal frames.
By 1917, Ohio Art had diversified into toy manufacturing with products such as windmills and climbing monkeys. Following World War I, the product line expanded to include brightly colored tea sets and drums. In the late 1950s, French electrician André Cassagnes developed the "Telecran," a drawing device featuring a joystick and aluminum powder that evolved into the Etch A Sketch. This product was officially introduced on July 12, 1960, at the Bryan facility.
W.C. Killgallon became part of the company during the 1950s; his family remains the owners and operators today. Alongside Etch A Sketch, notable toy offerings included Bernard Benson's Bizzy Buzz Buzz. Despite its achievements in toys, metal lithography has consistently been central to Ohio Art’s operations as a top manufacturer of specialty lithographic components.
The Etch A Sketch experienced a resurgence in popularity after being featured in Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999), which significantly increased sales and helped the company navigate financial difficulties during the late 1990s.
On February 11, 2016, Ohio Art divested its Etch A Sketch and Doodle Sketch brands to Canada-based Spin Master, allowing it to concentrate exclusively on its metal lithography business in Bryan. Subsequently, the company discontinued all toy manufacturing activities.
Awards
- Nanoblock earned the Best Toy of the Year Award at the 2011 ASTRA trade event.