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The Making of Lionel
The founder of Lionel trains, was born in 1877 to a Jewish immigrant family. His name was Joshua Lionel Cowen. He came to America, landing in New York with his family just after the Civil War. It was in the midst of major changes in the world, namely the industrial revolution that Lionel Cowen began his life in America. Edison had just created the electric light and trains signaled the progress of change. The west and east were finally connected in America via the Central and Union Pacific railroads, this led to a sense of expansion, optimism and exciting possibilities for some. Growing up amidst this revolution of change, it made sense that Cowen would be an inventor. He is credited with inventing the flashlight and just before the turn of the century, this college drop-out received his first patent for an instrument that was used to light the flash of a camera.
Before the age of ten, it was said that Cowen had created his first working model trains. One of his earliest creations was a small actual working steam engine carved out of wood. His parents however weren't too pleased when the steam engine exploded, damaging their kitchen. Even with this early set-back, his creativity was not quenched and went on to found the Lionel Corporation in 1900. This was the time when passenger rail travel was fascinating and cutting edge. The then modern technology enchanted adults and children alike.
The first successful Lionel train was the Electric Express. Ironically this train was not designed to be a toy or something for hobbyist. Its intended purpose was that of a store display gimmick. As a flat gondola train carrying featured merchandise around circular track in a store display window, the Electric Express simultaneously succeeded and failed. It failed to highlight featured items in the gondola, this was because it succeeded in creating so much interest that customers would want to buy the fascinating new electric train. Lionel Cowen made a smart decision after seeing this and brought Lionel Corporation around to focus on model trains that remain popular to this day.
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