Johnson Brothers (Harborne)
of Harborne
Also see Chad Valley Co
1860 Joseph and Alfred, opened a printing business in George St, Birmingham, trading as Johnson Brothers.
1869 Mention. Johnson Brothers, Printers, 7 George St. Parade.[1]
1897 The company moved to Harbourne and became Johnson Brothers (Harborne) Ltd. The new factory, known as The Chad Valley Works, was named after a stream nearby. As well as selling stationery, the company also started to produce cardboard games and toys, the range of which was gradually increased. Johnson Brothers may have made brass postal scales as well.
1902 JOHNSON BROTHERS (HARBORNE), LIMITED. Registered with a capital of £20,000 in £1 shares (3,000 preference). Object, to acquire as a going concern the business of manufacturing stationers and printers as now ...[2]
1904 Alfred Joseph Johnson, the eldest son of Joseph Johnson, became chairman and managing director after his father's death.
1910s The Johnsons began to experiment in earnest with toys and games, using new materials to expand their product range from paper and card. They did however decide that the emphasis should still be towards education and as such the printed word remained prevalent. It was still their intention to market primarily towards affluent families where they had enjoyed much success.
1915 The company's first soft toys were produced. This was a range of traditional, plush Teddy Bears with jointed limbs.
1916 The company patented a machine for stuffing soft toys.
1916 Additional capacity was required. The firm acquired premises in Wellington which came to be called Wrekin Toy Works.
1919 Post-war expansion was so great that the company acquired the Harbourne Village Institute which was used as a printing works, producing box covers and labels for toys and games.
1920 Became Chad Valley Co