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History Of The Weeden Manufacturing Company

Compliments of WeedenSteam

 

 

Weeden no.1 patent print

Weeden No.1 Patent Print
Available from Vintage Internet Patents

In 1883 a publisher approached William Nye Weeden, a watchmaker, to design a toy steam engine to be given as a premium with subscriptions to a magazine. Weeden's design so impressed the publisher that he ordered 10,000 of them at a dollar each. This $10,000 would be the impetus for the formation of The Weeden Manufacturing Company. Weeden’s Upright Steam Engine No.1,” first appeared in the October 1884 issue of Youth’s Companion, a stationary steam engine with an upright boiler, offered for $1.00.

In the 1870’s and early 80’s, the magazine had offered steam engines made by the Buckman Company of New York for these same purposes.

Mr. Weeden often made his own tooling for the items he manufactured - presses, dies, molds and other production items. Realizing the value and the uniqueness of these specialty tools, patterns and dies he had them locked away in a fire-proof safe at the close of business each day.

William Weeden actually only ran the company for 8 years until his death in 1891 when William Richie, a former salesman, took over as cheif executive. When he passed away in 1939 his son William B. Richie followed him at the helm. Of note the Richie's were among the few managers at the time to hire the handicapped to work in their factory.

In 1926 electric heating elements were introduced as a safety feature, several models were given new models numbers when they included this feature.

Weeden Patent
Weeden Patent

Patents for electrically heated models
Vintage Internet Patents

In 1942 the company was sold to National Playthings which halted production of the steam engines in 1952.

The remaining machinery, parts, dies, molds and patents for the steam engines were purchased by Security Signals Inc. for around $800 and kept in storage until finally destroyed some years later.

There is not really a typical Weeden design, in fact it is sometimes hard to believe that some of the models were manufactured by the same company. Many of the models are rather flimsy compared to other models that are extremely sturdy. WeedenSteam lists practically every model made and is a valuable guide to identify an engine.

One of the most popular and durable models is the No.14, It has a heavy cast frame and flywheel that was built strong enough to withstand the test of time.

Weeden 14 Catalogue image
Weeden Catalogue Listing
Complete Catalogue Reprint
28 pages
47 product images

Handy Links:

WeedenSteam - Engine Identification

WeedenSteam Store - Replacement Parts