Performo Toy Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Toy manufacturing |
| Founded | 1925 in Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Founder | Torrence Leroy Dietz |
| Defunct | July 15, 1933 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy due to Great Depression |
| Headquarters | Middletown , United States |
Key people | Torrence Leroy Dietz (president), Rene Grove (chief designer) |
| Products | Wooden toys, including Micky mouse doll |
Number of employees | 25+ |
The Performo Toy Company was established in 1925 by Torrence Leroy Dietz in Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, focusing on the manufacture of wooden toys at a facility located on North Spring Street. Rapid growth saw the workforce exceed 25 employees, yet the company struggled to keep up with the high demand for its products. Official documentation names Torrence Dietz as president, with Rene Grove serving as chief designer and one of five business partners. The initial funding amounted to $25,000, divided among Dietz (president and sales lead), O.H. Watts (manager and treasurer), Clifford Funk (secretary), Rene Grove (principal artist/designer), and Elias Klahr (investor).
Performo’s product line included approximately 40 different toys, which were distributed through the George Borgfeldt Company. Their best-selling item was a black-and-white mouse doll called Micky (U.S. Patent #D70,840, issued August 17, 1926). The name "Micky" was chosen via an internal contest won by Larry Grove, brother of Rene Grove.
Mickey Mouse vs. Micky Mouse debate
Mickey Mouse holds a significant place in animation history. The similarities between Performo’s Micky and Disney’s Mickey Mouse have led to speculation that Walt Disney might have been influenced by Performo’s toy design. Around 1928, Performo’s mouse enjoyed popularity in New York City, where its distributor operated—coinciding with the period when Disney was developing his character for animated shorts that achieved widespread acclaim.
A local tale from Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania claims that Performo initiated legal action against The Walt Disney Company over the resemblance; however, a PBS History Detectives investigation found no proof of any lawsuit or formal dispute. Disney’s archives confirm that no such legal case ever occurred, labeling the story as a myth.
The PBS inquiry observed that although Performo’s Micky bore some resemblance initially, it evolved following the rise of Disney’s character—adopting distinctive traits such as red shorts with white buttons. Historical evidence suggests that earlier generic cartoon mice—including those featured in Felix the Cat (1922), Milton Mouse from Aesop's Film Fables (1920), and Ignatz Mouse from Krazy Kat (1914)—served as inspirations for Disney’s creation. The progression of cartoon mouse figures during this era supports this interpretation.
By 1932, merchandise sales related to Mickey Mouse exceeded revenue from films—a first in Hollywood history. Meanwhile, despite prior expansion, Performo encountered financial hardships and declared bankruptcy in 1933 amid the Great Depression. Experts believe that Performo was among the many businesses affected by the economic crisis, whereas Disney’s integration of film and merchandise helped it endure.
An episode of The Simpsons titled "The Day the Violence Died" includes a plotline reminiscent of the dispute involving Grove and Disney.
Bankruptcy
On July 15, 1933, the Press and Journal announced that Performo Toy Company had filed for bankruptcy, a direct result of the economic strains imposed by the Great Depression, which ultimately led to the company’s closure.
See also
External links
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent D70,840, August 17, 1926, Registered by Rene D. Grove
- Performo Toy Company Overview
- The Origins of Mickey Mouse
- PBS - History Detectives - Episode 302 - Mouse Toy Investigation
- Antique Toy Collection Resource
- Central PA Magazine - Country Mouse, City Mouse Story
- Performo and Rene Grove Official Website