Ertl (formerly, the Ertl Company) is an American former manufacturing company and current brand of toys, best known for its die-cast metal alloy collectible replicas (or scale models) of agricultural machinery. Other products manufactured by Ertl include cars, airplanes, and commercial vehicles. The company was based in Dyersville, Iowa, home of the National Farm Toy Museum. History Ertl has been producing farm toy replicas since 1945. For over 60 years, the company has produced farm toys for industry brands such as: John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, and AGCO. Ertl has also, on different occasions, acquired the licenses to produce die-cast vehicles and figurines as well as model kits for Looney Tunes, Garfield, Thomas the Tank Engine, Tugs (TV series), Theodore Tugboat, Super Mario Bros. DC Comics, and Star Wars. In 1999, Ertl was purchased by Racing Champions. Ertl is currently a brand under the RC2 Corporation umbrella. Timeline Important Dates in Racing Champions/Ertl Company History 1945 - The Ertl Company is founded by Fred Ertl Sr., in Dubuque, Iowa 1959 - The company moves to larger facilities in Dyersville, Iowa 1967 - Ertl is acquired by Victor Comptometer Corporation 1971 - Ertl acquires Carter Tru-Scale 1973 - Ertl begins manufacturing plastic model kits 1974 - Ertl acquires Structo Stamped Steel 1977 - Kidde, Inc. acquires Ertl with purchase of Victor Comptometer Corp 1981 - Ertl acquires AMT model kit company 1985 - Ertl acquires MPC model kits 1986 - Ertl produces Thomas & Friends licensed toys 1987 - Hanson plc purchases Kidde. Ertl acquires ESCI model kit company 1989 - Racing Champions is founded by Bob Dods, Boyd Meyer and Peter Chung 1990 - Ertl releases the first Precision Series farm toy replica 1991–92 - Racing Champions obtains NASCAR license 1992 - Fred Ertl Jr. & Robert J. Ertl retire 1995 - Hanson plc consolidates its U.S. companies to form U.S.I. (United States Industries) 1993 - Ertl begins the Wings Of Texaco die cast airplane collection 1996 - Racing Champions introduces its Mint line of non-racing vehicles. Racing Champions Corporation is formed 1997 - Racing Champions completes its initial public stock offering (RACN on NASDAQ) 1999 - Company produces a commercial version of the Eternity puzzle 1999 - Racing Champions acquires The Ertl Company 2000 - Ertl acquires Britains Limited 2003 - Racing Champions Ertl acquired Chicago-based Learning Curve International, Inc. 2004 - RC2 Corporation acquired Playing Mantis assets