The Electric Game Company had navigated the challenges of World War II. It was a time to resume its core business activities, focusing on producing and selling its electric games, as well as creating new electronic games and toys.
The company did not abandon its toy production during World War II, as it continued to produce pulley toys, along with a toy stove that featured two light bulbs to simulate its two burners.
The Electric Game Company's products were a hit at the 1946 New York Toy Fair. Electric baseball, football, bowling, and the toy stove were the company's contributions to the fair.
In 1946, the company sought permission from the Secretary of State to increase its capital from $20,000 to $50,000 to help finance expansion at its mill located at 76 Front Street.
In 1947, Arthur Dougherty, the Treasurer of the corporation since its inception in 1934, passed away. He was the son of James Dougherty, who was one of Holyoke's early major building contractors.
1947 did not prove to be a banner year for toy sales, as sales had fallen 40% from the previous year. Manufacturers were moving in the direction of producing less costly toys for sale. However, the Electric Game Company's sales continued to rise, unlike the rest of the industry. The Wall Street Journal indicated that the company's products offered good value for their modest sales price.
A second prominent company official, George M. Prentice, the father of James Prentice, died in 1947. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors at the time of his death.
Two of the featured games during this time were On Board and Dragon's Teeth. Also, the quiz games were redesigned with easier questions to enhance the element of fun.
A new non-game item was in production. It was called the S.R.S. or Sick Room Signal. At one end is a button, followed by 50 feet of wire that leads to a buzzer, which calls for attention when activated. It was sold at a very low cost and would be helpful in one's home for use by those who were ill or otherwise needed assistance.
In 1948, sales rose to $425,000, a 47% increase from the previous year. Mr. Prentice demonstrated his generosity and kindness during the holiday season by giving many of his games and toys to children.
In early 1949, the Prentices sold their home at 3 Burnett Street in South Hadley and moved across the street to an apartment at 4 Burnett Street. A move to Holyoke was soon in store.
The decade ended with two more patents being awarded to the company for its inventions. The awards were for "Electrical Jackstraws Game Apparatus" and "Rotatable Game Board and Piece Therefore." The company continued on with its successful ways.
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription); Census and Birth records
Ancestry.com (paid subscription); Price & Lee, City of Holyoke (Massachusetts) Directories
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