Updated: February 17, 2024

It was in 1954 that the first American-made robotic toy appeared, known as “Robert the Robot.” The following year, Japan began exporting battery-operated robotic toys to the U.S. Today, Japan is the best known manufacturer of early post-World War II robots and space toys. They came in all shapes and sizes, with mechanisms that ranged from simple to highly intricate.

One scarce and valuable robot made in Japan is “Purple Target Robot.” It came with a dart-firing gun that was used to supposedly stop the robot. However, when hit, the robot would swing around toward the attacker, making frightening electronic screams, saying “shoot him.” Along with the Japanese robots were the fantasy toys. Weird-looking space vehicles, from flying saucers to rocket ships, were big money makers. The Germans got into the space-toy market beginning in the 1940s with a “Space Rocket.” What made it unique was that it flew along a steel tape attached to a wall. Sparks flashed from its tail as it moved. A parachutist popped out of an opening and slid along the tape.

During the 1950s, space toys were made worldwide. Most traveled on wheels, while others were shot from a gun by a spring mechanism. The great interest in UFOs in the late 1950s and 1960s added to the space-toy category. The Japanese dominated the field with a variety of battery-operated flying saucers.

Clues: Reproductions of the early robot toys started 20 years ago with laser printing. Expert collectors say a trained eye can recognize the difference between laser and early lithograph designs. Another clue is that many of the early robots combined plastic with tin plate. Since having the original box adds to the value, there are reproductions of boxes.