Micro Machines: The Original Scale Miniatures (called either "Micro Machines" or simply "Micros") were a line of toys originally made by Galoob (now part of Hasbro) in the mid 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Micro Machines were literally that - tiny scale component style "playsets" and vehicles that were slightly larger than "N scale" at an average length of 1.5 inches. Although Micro Machines have not been sold in the United States in some years, newer models are available in the UK and Europe.
MEMS or micro-electro-mechanical system a miniaturized mechanical device built with the materials and techniques used to make integrated circuits for computers. These microscopic materials are of the order of a few micrometers (a micrometer is one millionth of a meter). Micromachines combine sensors, levers, gears, and electronic elements such as transistors to perform various tasks. The extremely thin layers of silicon which are only few millionths of a meter thick are used to fabricate Micromachine Gearing Micromachines and can be shaped into can be shaped into levers, gears, and other mechanical devices. With the initiative of Sandia National Laboratories' Intelligent Micromachine, this technology is currently used in imaging systems and motion sensors, and is being developed for applications in biomedicine, computers, and telecommunications.
MEMS technology is currently used in devices such as air bag sensors and certain types of video screen systems. It is being adapted for uses in many other fields, such as medicine, computers, and communication as it has several benefits over larger machines in sensitivity, pace and energy consumption.
Many different styles of Micros were made including all the popular cars and trucks of the times, trains, emergency vehicles, tanks, boats, airplanes, helicopters, and motorcycles. The Tuff Trax series contained many of the popular TNT Motorsports Monster Trucks including the legendary Grave Digger truck. Star Trek and Star Wars models were also made, as were models from other science fiction franchises including Babylon 5, Power Rangers and MIB. They even immortalized James Bond and Indiana Jones in micro scale. After the Hasbro Buyout, they came out with Winner's Circle NASCAR and GI Joe themed cars and playsets.
While the Micro Machines collection was known primarily for sizing down automobiles, it also featured several excellent playsets including 1991's fold-out Super Van City. Licensed character products would often be comprised of fold-open heads including miniature characters and vehicles interactive with their playset environment. Micro Machines also utilized several diverse features such as color-changing cars and "Private Eyes" vehicles that even allowed one to peek inside and view an illustration of the inner contents.
Micro Machines had a well-known advertising campaign in the 1980s involving fast-talker John Moschitta, Jr. who would speak very fast in their TV commercials, ending each one with the slogan "If it doesn't say Micro machines, it's not the real thing".
In the 1990s, transforming playsets were released. Some could transform from one playset to another, such as a factory to a test track. Others could transform from giant vehicles to playsets, such as a 6x6 to a jungle. Earlier ones included one that could transform from a toolbox to a city. Another innovative release was a line of special boats in the 1990s. While past boats had merely sunk and were not intended for water use, these new sets could actually float and came in many different sets.
When sold to Hasbro, the basic line was largely discontinued, and new packaging of the toys didn't catch on as well as hoped, though some imitators continue to be sold in toy stores. In 2006, the brand name was visible only in the detail panel of some medium-sized Star Wars die cast vehicles of very good quality.
