SMALL, BUT PERFECTLY FORMED.

Odell not only modelled the vehicles, but also conceived their construction and even designed his own machines to cast them. After resolving a dispute with Kohnstam over the ownership of the Matchbox trademark, Odell and Smith floated Lesney on the London Stock Exchange in September 1960. FEATURES Co-founder of Lesney Products Leslie Smith (left) and Matchbox toys inventor Jack Odell with a selection of their "Matchbox" diecast range, October 1968 It feels strange to consider, in the least-sentimental terms possible, what Matchbox toy cars actually are, because the ones produced today in Thailand are fundamentally little different from the originals made in a London pub basement 70 years ago. [Extracted from the article]