HO HO HO

What are your Christmas memories of Akron during the Rubber Days ? And if you have photos ~ please Share :)

... this is a 1950s Rempel Rubber Santa !

He is one of the "Little Folk from Sunnyslope" characters of the "Tug-A-Long" Team! This was made by the Rempel Manufacturing Co. of Akron Ohio, rubber capital of the world, and home to B.F. Goodrich .

The company was founded in 1946 by D. Gustav Rempel, a Russian immigrant, who built his original plant on Morgan Ave. Artist Fred G. Reinert designed the toys for Rempel, and he was well known for his attention to detail. Reinert used his own patented Roto-cast mold, which would make about 30 toys from one cast.

This legendary manufacturing company was the last firm in the country still making toys from 100% rubber by 1963, before they finally ended production.

by Beth Becker