Matchbox was making tiny die-cast cars more than a decade before Hot Wheels rolled onto the scene. It might be even more surprising to learn the first one was made for a girl, not a boy.

The painstakingly crafted die-cast Matchbox Cars have been a staple of toy-shelves since the 1950s, and remain one of the most recognized classic toy brands in the USA. Mattel Films and Skydance ...

The inspiration behind Matchbox cars came from a school rule. Leslie and Rodney Smith started their toy company, Lesney ...