Helen Schelle
Encyclopedia
Helen M. Schelle was co-founder of the toy manufacturing company Fisher-Price
. Schelle was born in Piqua, Ohio and moved to New York
as an adult, where by the middle of the 1920s, she had become owner and manager of the Penny Walker Toy Shop in Binghamton. This role saw Schelle established as a prominent and connected figure within the toy industry and in 1930, she was asked by financier Irving Price
to join him as a partner in a new toy company he was starting. Alongside businessman Herman Fisher
and Price's wife, Illustrator Margaret Evans Price
, the Fisher-Price Company was formally established later that year in East Aurora, New York. Schelle undertook the role of secretary and treasurer.
Many of the company's early toys were the result of a collaboration between Schelle and Margaret Price, who together worked on their designs. Sixteen wooden toys were brought to the 1931 American International Toy Fair
in New York City before later being introduced to the public through Macy's
Department store. The toys' first year on the American market saw their placement on shelves in hundreds of stores throughout the country— an achievement partially attributed to Schelle's established contacts within the toy industry.
Schelle retired from Fisher-Price in 1957 and moved from New York back to her hometown of Piqua, Ohio. She died there on April 12, 1984, at the age of 91 and is buried at the Forest Hill Union Cemetery.
Fisher-Price
Fisher-Price is a company that produces toys for infants and children, headquartered in East Aurora, New York. Fisher-Price has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel since 1993.-History:...
. Schelle was born in Piqua, Ohio and moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
as an adult, where by the middle of the 1920s, she had become owner and manager of the Penny Walker Toy Shop in Binghamton. This role saw Schelle established as a prominent and connected figure within the toy industry and in 1930, she was asked by financier Irving Price
Irving Price
Irving Lanouette Price was a U.S. toy manufacturer. He was the co-founder and co-eponym of Fisher-Price Toys in 1930. On 23 February 1909, he married the children's book illustrator and artist Margaret Evans Price...
to join him as a partner in a new toy company he was starting. Alongside businessman Herman Fisher
Herman Fisher
Herman Guy Fisher , was born in Unionville Pennsylvania. He is best known as the co-founder of the famous toy brand Fisher-Price.-Biography:Herman G. Fisher was born in Unionville, Pennsylvania in 1898...
and Price's wife, Illustrator Margaret Evans Price
Margaret Evans Price
Margaret Evans Price was a U.S. toy manufacturer. With her husband, Irving Price, and Herman Fisher, she co-founded Fisher-Price Toys in 1930. Margaret Evans was a children's book illustrator and artist...
, the Fisher-Price Company was formally established later that year in East Aurora, New York. Schelle undertook the role of secretary and treasurer.
Many of the company's early toys were the result of a collaboration between Schelle and Margaret Price, who together worked on their designs. Sixteen wooden toys were brought to the 1931 American International Toy Fair
American International Toy Fair
The American International Toy Fair is one of a few major toy industry trade shows held around the world. It is held annually in mid February in New York City's Toy Center, located at 23rd Street at the crossover of Fifth Avenue and Broadway and at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and is...
in New York City before later being introduced to the public through Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
Department store. The toys' first year on the American market saw their placement on shelves in hundreds of stores throughout the country— an achievement partially attributed to Schelle's established contacts within the toy industry.
Schelle retired from Fisher-Price in 1957 and moved from New York back to her hometown of Piqua, Ohio. She died there on April 12, 1984, at the age of 91 and is buried at the Forest Hill Union Cemetery.