Cyclops Toys – Leichhardt

Cyclops Toys Factory Corner of Francis and William Street, Leichhardt.

Currently the building is made-up of designer apartments with brilliant spaces and views, however this building was once the well known factory of Cyclops Toys. Next door to this building  in William Street is the former machine tool manufacturing plant of John Heine and Sons.

Cyclops Toys established business in 1913 and were originally located at 1 Hay Street Leichhardt.

Cyclops 2Cyclops 3The Sands Directory lists Cyclops at 1 and 1a Hay Street for the years 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918. The company then re appears in the Directory in 1930 on the corner of William and Francis Street, Leichhardt. (See below 1931 Sands Directory) Cyclops toys

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Aerial view of John Heine & Son Engineering Works, Leichhardt : with Cylops Toy Factory in background c.1920.

1913

Cyclops Beginnings John Heine Sheet Metal, commenced manufacturing Flat Framed Tricycles at Hay Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW.

1915

Cyclops Name Registered The Cyclops name was registered and a new model scooter the “Kangaroo Cycle Skate” was launched with great success.

1917

First Australian Car The first mass produced Australian car was a Cyclops pedal car, 30 years before the production of the Holden.

 1928

Famous Dinky Trike The first of the original Australian designed Dinky Trike was produced, this original design concept was kept until 1950

1936

Cyclops Packard Pedal car Cyclops was producing

Pedal Cars using USA car model looks and names such as Buick, Chevrolet, Hudson and Packard.

 1946

Cyclops Pty Ltd The company officially changed its name to Cyclops Pty Ltd after the 2nd World War

 1963

50th Anniversary Cyclops Pty Ltd celebrated winning the Australian Wheel toy of the year (adding to the collection of Australian Toy of the Year and Wheel Toy of the Year awards).

1981

Growth   The Cyclops wheel toy range was over 50 models

1992

Hunter Toyline Pty Ltd (Now Hunter Leisure Pty Ltd). Hunter Toyline gained 100% ownership of the brand. The Cyclops brand was back in the hands of a wholly owned Australian company

1994

Hunter Toyline Pty Ltd release many upgraded new models

2001

Micro Scooter The Micro Scooter craze took off around the world. Cyclops re gained a good share of the total scooter market in Australia.

2002

Cyclops Bicycles A complete new range of quality bicycles was released by Cyclops.

2003

Cyclops Bicycle Helmets A range of

Cyclops Bicycle Helmets was released

2004

Cyclops Moto Trike Exciting new Cyclops Designed

3 wheel Ride-On conver ts to 2 wheels.

Collated by Amie Zar If you have any stories or information regarding Cyclops Toys we would love to hear form you you can email localhistory@lmc.nsw.gov.au or reply in the comments field.