Matchbox is a popular toy brand which was introduced by
Lesney Products in 1953 and is now owned by
Mattel, Inc. The brand was so named as the original
die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar in style and size to those in which
matches were sold. Subsequently the brand would encompass a broad range of toys including larger scale die-cast models and various non die-cast lines such as plastic model kits and
action figures.