Gong Bell Manufacturing Company

East Hampton, Connecticut

1866 - 1960’s

Gong Bell Manufacturing Company as established as a partnership in 1866 by H. H. Abbe, E. C. Barton, E. G. Cone and A. H. Conklin to produce bells and toys. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Connecticut in April 1899. In 1872, Barton patented a toy called “Revolving Chimes” described as “a pair of cast brass gongs, mounted between two malleable iron wheels.” This was the beginning of Gong Bell’s toy making history.  The company also manufactured the first foot bell ever used on automobiles.  After re-organization in 1921, Gong Bell introduces one of the most successful toys invented at the time. It was a toy telephone with a bell and movable receiver hook. This was also the time Gong Bell started concentrating on its wooden toy future. During World War II, Gong Bell also took on military contracts to make hardware for parachutes. It is believed that with the introduction of plastics in toy making, Gong Bell could not complete since their toys were made mostly of wood and metal, thus closing the company in the 60’s.