[2] Beginning in 1948 with the implementation of the newly developed screw injection molding process, NOSCO quickly became a major early producer of tiny plastic toys called "slum" (very cheap prizes that are bought in bulk, sometimes for as little as $1 a gross or less)[citation needed] sold to wholesalers as carnival merchandise, used by the millions as prizes in packages of Cracker Jack popcorn confection, and mail-order flats that were heavily advertised in American comic books as "100 Toy Soldiers for $1" by E. Joseph Cossman & Company.
[1] NOSCO also held a number of patents on plastic molded products including mechanical toys, storage containers, pallets, and medical syringes.
Smaller, roughly 2" versions of some of the same designs were sold as tchotchkes and as bar drink markers—including an antelope, camel, deer, dog, elephant, stork, horse, monkey, squirrel, and swan.
[citation needed] The first set of 12 screw injection molded NOSCO toys was advertised for sale as carnival merchandise in Cincinnati newspaper "The Billboard".
A 1/6th page advertisement in the February 7, 1948 issue with the title "Brand New, Low Cost Plastic Slum (Give-aways)" that shows "Lifelike animals that appeal to young and old alike.
One of the major wholesalers for NOSCO slum was Terre Haute, Indiana based Levin Brothers with ads in "The Billboard" beginning in the February 21, 1948 issue.
The "100 Cowboys and Indians" set was another popular series sold by Cossman which came in an illustrated box with a unique die-cut "pop-out, build-it-yourself" diorama.
[9] NOSCO employees Bruno C Roehrl and Harold S Cloyd invented the mechanism and clear plastic housing that simulated the piston action, patent number US2726482 filed May 8, 1951 and granted December 13, 1955.
[10] NOSCO followed up the same year with an airplane toy when pushed the wheels would turn a cog that ran the engine with working pistons and rotating propeller.