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, and cuff links, introduced circa 1901 by the Chicago based Dowst Brothers company.

The process of die-casting was first introduced to the world at the Columbian Exposition of 1893, when Charles Dowst observed a new machine known as the Line-O-Type. Mr. Dowst applied the process to the manufacture of various items, eventually producing the first diecast toys in 1910.

The earliest catalogue to come to hand has been that of 1909.  There are three small miniature cars shown in it, issued as miniature favours, charms, pins, buttons and cuff links.  The earliest was issued about 1901, and resembles a curved-dash Olds. The first actual model car from the company was a 1911 closed limousine which was followed by a 1915 Ford Model T open tourer.

The early cars were also used for tokens on game boards.  Dowst had also been producing small castings for this purpose, and made the metal shoe, iron, ship and others for Parker Brothers' games such as Monopoly. 

These toys had no trade name until 1922.  The name TootsieToy was registered as a trade mark on 11 March 1924, having been applied for on 7 February 1923. 

Tootsie was the name of Theodore (Ted) Dowst's daughter. Some time before 1925 the TootsieToy name began to appear in catalogues and on boxes of automotive toys, but did not appear on the undersides of castings themselves until 1926 or 1927, and some unmarked castings were still being made after 1930.

Many TootsieToy cars are still made from a die cast mould, with a solid metal axle connecting the wheels to the metal body. TootsieToy, which is now owned by the Strombecker corporation and still based in Chicago, makes about 40 million cars per year.

All models have been available in different combinations blistered on cards, known examples are for instance a combination of Cadillac and Ford Sunliner on one card but also the Ford Sunliner with speedboat. As far as we know now, and with the exception of the I.H.Metro van, the models have only been available in a single colour, there were no color variations.

(Image shows TootsieToy #24 Ford Sunliner convertible red/silver seats in original packaging.)