Jack Odell (1920 - 2007) - Creator of the Matchbox car
Matchbox cars. We collected them. We played with them. We loved them. Heck, a lot of us still do. And over the weekend, the man responsible for making these simple, inexpensive pleasures a reality passed away. Jack Odell was 87 years old. The inspiration for the Matchbox car came after he created a miniature toy steamroller that fit inside an actual matchbox for his daughter. Odell was co-owner of Lesney Products, which subsequently began manufacturing and selling the miniature toys to the public, and the rest is history. Many of our fondest childhood memories can ultimately be traced back to Mr. Odell's creation. We are eternally grateful, and may he rest in peace.
[Source: Wall Street Journal via Telstar Logistics via Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BowserUSC 10:09PM (7/18/2007)
Ah yes, 99 cent toys. Even in my day there were few like it. And I learned about sales tax when I couldn't understand why my toy was 8 cents more expensive.
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BowserUSC 10:12PM (7/18/2007)
Oh yeah, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, as well as thanks for helping make my childhood so enjoyable.
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Richard 10:22PM (7/18/2007)
Matchbox: the first cars I got my hands on and the seeds of a lifelong love affair with the automobile.
Godspeed, Jack Odell. Your invention has been enjoyed by perhaps more children than any other toy.
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Brad 11:25PM (7/18/2007)
I've still got a bunch of Matchbox and Hotwheel cars stored in the closet from my childhood years. Good times.
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Bob 12:35AM (7/19/2007)
An impressive legacy. Thanks Jack.
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chuck goolsbee 1:16AM (7/19/2007)
I had that exact D-type Matchbox car you pictured! Seeing it triggered long-dormant memories... I loved playing with that car... along with my collection of Matchbox and Corgi Chaparrals. I have fond memories of seeing Jim Hall and his Chaparrals at Road America in Elkhart Lake as a child. I never did see a D-type in the flesh until I was an adult, but that iconic shape was imprinted upon my mind from the Matchbox cars I had back in the 60s.
Thanks for the joy Mr. Odell, and thanks for the memories Autoblog.
(Now somebody will tell me those cars my mom gave away would be worth big bucks today... sigh)
--chuck
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iamhoff 3:17AM (7/19/2007)
Godspeed and may you rest in peace. Obviously a man who lived a full life. Thank you for the wonderful childhood (which entered its 36th year 3 months ago) and bestowing upon me an addiction for motorized vehicles of all stripes. My faves were always the "import" models (Holden El Camino from Oz or the UK Ford Capri). Back in the 70s, a 9 year old kid who knew as much about the cars for sale in this country could never figure out just why a Chevy El Camino was called a Holden and had the steering wheel on the right. Thank God for the internet, but more importantly, thank you for the joy and happiness that you brought me and countless others. Peace and comfort to your family.
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Adam 9:15AM (7/19/2007)
R.I.P. Jack
The reason most of use are on this website today is because of the toy that you created!
Thank You
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Meachen 9:30AM (7/19/2007)
Ah, Matchbox cars. They were pre-Hotwheels, which came out in '67-'68. Matchbox cars came into my life in '64-'65. My grandparents went to England and brought some back for my older brother. I was hooked. Have a look at what I found online:
1964 http://www.bamca.org/cgi-bin/mline.cgi?year=1964&CAT=1&E=1&RW=1&A=1&M=1&K=1&Y=1&MF=1&MG=1&PS=1&G=1&R=1&CC=1&PZL=1&GW=0
1965 http://www.bamca.org/cgi-bin/mline.cgi?year=1965&CAT=1&E=1&RW=1&A=1&M=1&K=1&Y=1&MF=1&MG=1&PS=1&G=1&R=1&CC=1&PZL=1&GW=0
1947-1969 http://www.bamca.org/lesney/
Mister Odell, may you rest in peace knowing that you made a lot of kids very happy
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selina 9:28AM (7/20/2007)
Hi to everyone that read this article, I’m jacks granddaughter and can I just say thank you to everyone for your kind words it means a lot to my family. Thank you
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