TootsieToy is a manufacturer of die cast toy cars and other toy vehicles. The TootsieToy brand has its origins in a range of miniature cars in the form of charms, pins, cuff links and the like, introduced circa 1901 by the Chicago based Dowst Brothers company. The first actual model car from the company was a 1911 closed limousine which was followed by a 1915 Ford Model T open tourer. By the early 1920s the name 'tootsie' was being used as a brand name and "Tootsietoy" was registered as a trade mark in 1924. The 'Tootsie' moniker apparently came from one of the Dowst Brothers' granddaughters, whose name was "Toots".[1] Tootsie toys are produced in Chicago, and were also previously produced in nearby areas such as Rockford, Illinois.
Tootsietoy also made metal prizes for Cracker Jack boxes.[2]
Many TootsieToy cars are still made from a die cast mold, with a solid metal axle connecting the wheels to the metal body. Tootise toys, which is now owned by J. Lloyd International, Inc. and still based in Chicago, makes about 40 million cars per year.