Hot Wheels
Who
Elliot Handler, co-founder of Mattel
When
1968
Where
California, United States
Elliot Handler wanted a die-cast car that would actually race, so Mattel gave its models low-friction axles and a banked orange track. Hot Wheels launched in 1968 and has since sold more cars than the entire real motor industry has built.
Sources
Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.