Picture block:The Embossing Company's Circus & Wild West Blocks

The Embossing Company has a long history in the toy business. The company began operations in 1870, established in Albany, NY, by John, Charles, and Isaiah Hyatt. The brothers, guided by their motto "Toys that Teach," produced wooden toys and games with educational value, including checkers, dominos, building blocks, and alphabet blocks. The company maintained its commitment to educational toys into the 1900s, as evidenced by a 1926 advertisement directed at retailers that claimed, "'Toys That Teach' have proved over many years that they increase toy sales. Your customers will appreciate the genuine worth of these useful toys." The Embossing Company remained in business well into the 20th century, leaving a permanent mark on the history of America's toy industry.