Stuff You Should Know Selects: What Is A Mold-A-Rama?
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Dec 6, 2025 Discover the fascinating Mold-A-Rama, a whimsical vending machine that created plastic toys on-demand starting in the 1960s. These machines captivated fairgoers, thanks to their live-making process and retro charm. Dive into the origins with Tyke Miller and learn how innovative mechanics transformed plastic pellets into instant collectibles. Although they faded from popularity, dedicated families and companies are reviving these nostalgic treasures, showcasing their creative adaptations. From vintage memories to modern restorations, the Mold-A-Rama's legacy lives on!
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Live Manufacturing Is The Main Appeal
- Mold-A-Rama machines are on-demand injection blow-molding vending machines that create hollow plastic toys visibly in front of customers.
- The live manufacturing process—melted pellets, hydraulic molds, injection and blow—drives most of the appeal, not the toy itself.
Childhood Angel Led To Rediscovery
- Josh recalls getting a gold plasticky angel from a Mold-A-Rama at Children's Wonderland in Maumee, Ohio as a child.
- He tracked down the likely machine years later and found it now makes polar bears in storage at Tam-O'Shanter.
Plastics Pivot Created A New Toy Market
- Tyke Miller and his wife pivoted from plaster nativity figures to injection-blown plastic toys after WWII shortages.
- That shift enabled mass-produced novelty figures like the Miller aliens and national distribution in five-and-dimes.