(1943-1954)
Åsmund Lærdal kept coming up with ideas for new wooden toys, and chose the 'nisse' figure, Tomte, as the logo.
A horse with rider, a tipping duck and a wagon with blocks were followed by favourites such as small cars, bow and arrow, and jack-in-the-box and even larger toys such as sailboats, garages and petrol stations.
During World War II wood was rationed, and toys were still considered useless. Åsmund Lærdal travelled into the fjords during the night to avoid being captured and arrested. He bought wood that was secretly slipped into town, enabling him to produce more than 100 different toys.
Written by Nina Tjomsland
Translated by Piers Crocker