The Durable Toy & Novelty Company was started in 1907 with a factory in Cleveland Ohio and an office in New York City. Arthur Jacobs was the first president of the company. Records indicate he was quite an inventor. Jacobs held at least seven different patents for toy banks and cash registers. He also held patents for other toys and games that Durable made as well as patents related to the phonograph industry.

George C. Beresford, another company founder, was a hard working Scotchman who in the early days of the business had a special technique for getting sales orders. When calling on a store he would leave two or three banks on the counter with the understanding that when he returned, if they were not sold he would pick them up. Most times when Mr. Beresford returned the banks would be gone and he would get a real order.

During its first 50 years The Durable Toy & Novelty Company also held at least five different trademarks for the words “Uncle Sams” and its logos.

In 1926 the company was sold to H. H. Payson. Payson was a strong believer in advertising and marketing and the company grew under his leadership. In the mid 1940’s the factory and offices were moved to Paterson, NJ and finally to Hackensack, NJ in the late 1940’s. Ms Ann Payson was president of the company in the 1940’s and 1950’s.

In 1957 the Durable Toy & Novelty Company was purchased by the Western Stamping Company of Jackson, Michigan.