1953 and 2012 – gadgets then and now

Toys – Matchbox Road Roller and Matchbox Power Shift Construction Truck

1953 was the year in which the first ever Matchbox toy car was launch – except it wasn’t a car, it was a road roller. A simple die-cast metal toy from Brit company Lesney, it actually came in a matchbox and sold over a million units.

Matchbox is now owned by toy giant Mattel, and while the products are more advanced there’s definitely less charm about them. This construction truck features working lights and sounds – but where is its HEART?