Founding

• Fred and Gertrude Ertl founded the Ertl toy company in 1945. Their first toy was a tractor replica, created in their basement in Dubuque, Iowa. Their goal was to make toys with attention to detail, and were durable enough to withstand hard play.
  
  

Expansion

• In 1959, the company's production had outgrown its space. As a result, the company moved to a bigger facility in Dyersville, Iowa.
  
  

Acquisition

• During the 1970s and early 1980s, Ertl acquired a number of smaller toy companies including Carter Tru-scale, Structo Stamped Steel, and three model kit companies: AMT, MPC and ECSI.
  
  

Contributions

• Ertl was instrumental in the development and construction of the National Farm Toy Museum. The museum opened in 1986, and houses a large collection of farm toys, collectibles and memorabilia.