Lesney was founded in 1947 by Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, in a small London pub. The company name is a blend of their first names. They initially produced small industrial pieces and giftware, but the Lesney brand shot to international fame when they launched the Matchbox series in 1953. These miniatures came packaged in boxes that resembled matchboxes, thus the name. One of the fascinating facts about Lesney is that after noticing school children taken in by the miniature models, they designed the models to fit perfectly inside a schoolboy's uniform pocket. This was a brilliant marketing strategy as it directly appealed to their target audience. Despite facing bankruptcy in the 198s, the Lesney brand has left an enduring legacy in the toy industry.