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Company Background Tailspin Toys was founded in 1935 in Hoboken, New Jersey by Jack S. Richins, an ambitious young man from Australia who devised a game called “Jack in the Outback”. The game was originally developed as a board game based on Jack’s recollection of the Australian outback. It was intended as a means of escape from the everyday stresses of life. Initially played by his family and friends, word spread quickly and it became a popular game. Recognizing the business opportunity, Jack created Tailspin Toys, which began in the basement of the family home on the New Jersey waterfront. Operating the business on a small profit margin, Jack shipped 100 games during the first year. The demand for the game quickly outgrew the capacity of Jack's basement. Also, to accommodate the continued growth, Jack moved the headquarters for Tailspin Toys to Manhattan, New York. By the 1950’s, the company had expanded its business to include a variety of board games, an exclusive line of stuffed animals, building toys, dolls, and riding toys. In 1963, the company opened a new production and distribution facility in Fayetteville, Arkansas.