Fleischmann

Jean Fleischmann founded the company in Nuremberg in 1887. In the following decade it began making tin toys, including ships, aircraft and magnetic floating animals. In 1910 the company exhibited at the Brussels World’s Fair and received a gold medal for its toys.

In the 1930s the range expanded to include aircraft models, metal construction sets, sand toys and steam engines. Fleischmann also produced its first model railways, based on designs from Doll & Co., while developing its own 0-gauge railway models. In 1949 it introduced a two-rail direct-current 0-gauge model railway, followed by H0 gauge in 1952.

During the 1960s Fleischmann added electronic model railway products and the Rallye Monte Carlo slot-car set, and entered N gauge with piccolo. In the 1980s it introduced Profi-Gleis track and FMZ multi-train control. In the 2000s Fleischmann became a member of Modelleisenbahn Holding GmbH. The brand’s later product history includes the Z21 control system and its N-gauge range.