Hans Beck Hans Beck Hans Beck (6 May 1929, Greiz – 30 January 2009, Markdorf) was the German inventor of Playmobil toys. He is thus often called "The Father of Playmobil". Born in Greiz, Thuringia, Beck grew up in the town of Zirndorf. He trained as a cabinet maker and made small toy vehicles and figures for his younger siblings. He presented his model airplanes to Horst Brandstätter, owner of local toy company Geobra Brandstätter, who took him on, and asked him to develop toy figures for children. As a hobby Beck built ultra-lightweight model aircraft for flying indoors. He competed in
Darda (toy) Darda (toy) Darda is the name of a German toy car racing set (and related items) which was most popular in Europe and the USA throughout the '80s and '90s. Today the toys can be ordered online from retailers such as Only Toys, Darda UK. In Sweden Darda Sweden is both wholesaler and retailer for Sweden and Scandinavia. The unique selling point of the sets was the special Darda Motor, invented by Helmut Darda in 1970, propelled the Matchbox/Hot Wheels-sized cars at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h). The pullback motor was wound up by pressing down the