Label Type
curated descriptionLabel
Steam Shovel, Toy – Keystone
The Keystone working toy steam shovel was marketed to boys aged four to seven from the 1920s through the 1950s and was made to be ridden. It was the next development from pull toys, which were among many products—from doll houses to motion picture projectors—from the Boston-based company.
MOAH’s “Ride ‘Em” artifact is the Model 47, which had an extension arm that provided a reach of almost 35 inches that didn’t exist on the original Model 46. Other dimensions included a height of almost 15 inches, a 10-inch turntable wheelbase, and a weight of almost 11 pounds.
The shovel swiveled a full 360 degrees. The steam shovel even came with fake coal!
A crank raised and extended the derrick and a lever lowered it. The shovel was opened by pulling a string. Keystone boasted that spot-welding, rivets, and automobile body stock were used in the manufacturing process. Body and finish colors started out as red, gray, and black, but eventually included orange and green. In 1926 it cost $6 (almost $103 today).