From various on-line sources:
The original factory was located in Boston, Massachusetts from 1880-1887. The company was then moved to Chicago, Illinois and finally to Belvidere, Illinois by 1886. In an effort to keep workers employed during the Great Depression, National expanded their product line to include home workshop machinery and cast iron toys. National was unable to compete with the low cost imported sewing machines and closed in 1957.
National manufactured sewing machines, washing machines, bicycles, the Eldredge automobile (1903-1906), home workshop machinery, and cast-iron scale model toys (Oldsmobile & Pontiac automobiles, Harley Davison motorcycles & side cars, John Deere farm machinery, a power shovel, horse-drawn wagons, book-ends, table lamps, dog door stops, dog and owl banks) under the Vindex Toy Company label. The complete line of (powered) home workshop machinery included lathes, band saws, jig saws, saw tables, and line shaft assemblies.
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