In 1947, after having completed their duties in Royal Navy, two friends Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith combined their names to create ‘Lesney’ Products. In 1953, inspired by a child of a company member who was only allowed to take playthings to school that were small enough to fit into a matchbox. This resulted in Matchbox vehicles which went on become very popular and affordable. Matchbox is now owned by Mattel, Inc.
