The History of QUADRO
1. Product idea
On watching children when playing with construction systems like „Lego“ and „fischertechnik“, Dipl. Ing. Dipl. Ing. Hubert Rüther, supported by his wife Doris Rüther, had in 1976 the idea for the product QUADRO. On watching the play instinct of children he developed the idea of a construction system in large scale that could not only be used to play with but also to play on, like built, climb, drive, slide and so on.
Right from the start is was supposed to be a product not only for one market but for many markets in the leisure time area, with the target groups...
- children and grownups: in house and garden!
From this basic idea in 1976/77 it was a long way to go until the system worked.
In addition to some happy incidents the contact to tubes/yarn carriers for the textile industry led to the final solution:
There was a “click” and the system made of tubes and connectors fastened by screws was born! Quadro, a whole new world, the first giant construction kit of the world, containing of only 12 basic elements:
- four different three-dimensional connectors
- four different two-dimensional connectors
- three different tube lengths
- one panel size
2. Implementation and market launch
First proto types were built in 1977/78 and tested in 16 German kinder gardens, always in close cooperation with TÜV Germany (technical supervision association).
The results were that positive that the TÜV – though entering new grounds – certified the system, so that in 1979 it was presented at the Nürnberger Spiel-warenmesse (Nuremberg toy fair), see first brochure from 1979.
The response at the fair was a world-wide success. The new product was lit-erally run over. Everyone realised the innovation and market potential of this product.
From then on it went on uninterruptedly:
3. Market development / Highlights / Awards
1979
Founding of QUADRO company and delivery in the whole world.
Patents and registration of other trade marks worldwide,
1979
Tested security by continuous safety certificate in cooperation with TÜV, awarding of GS/-CE- sign (tested safety).
1980
Germany – spiel gut – (play good) study group good toys in Ulm.
1981
Germany – Gold medal for good design of Design- Center Stuttgart.
Germany – Gold medal for QUADRO system, awarded by Trade Association Consumption- Plastics in GKV.
1982
Germany – Award from Design- Center, Stuttgart.
1982
Japan – Award as best consumption good – Import product in the annual hit list of the Japanese newspaper ASAHI- SHIMBUN.
1983
Elephant test with „CITA“, 11 years 2,4 to, see picture.
1985
Market test of the brand new drive system „QUADRO DRIVE“.
1986
USA – Parent’s Choice Award 1986 / Boston.
1988
Germany – Award spiel gut, also for Mini QUADRO.
Market introduction of Mini QUADRO, in scale 1:5, that is delivered as Design KIT in each construction kit.
1993
Market test of the first children green house of the world, see picture.
1994
Market introduction of Dacta-/ playcenter- program.
1995
Introduction of the first QUADRO internet site www.quadro.de by Marc Rüther.
Germany – award PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 1995, Gold medal of Trade Association Consumption- Plastics in GKV for the QUADRO Pool House.
1996
Market test of children furniture program, see picture.
1997
Introduction of QUADRO computer design program for virtual planning of QUADRO, developed by Marc Rüther.
2001
Creation of large playcenter at the new Hongkong airport.
2002
Deutschland – Certification of baby program by TÜV
Market introduction of baby program with playpen in two levels as well as the high chair, developed by Marc Rüther.
2004
Market introduction of the new unrivalled Quadro straight slide.
Introduction of new QUADRO internet site www.quadroworld.com by Falk Rüther
Development of completely new concepts and strategies / start of implementation of brand new ideas
4. Short list of our references
all countries:
toy shops and thousands of kinder gardens all over the world
Germany:
Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Opel, Renault, McDonalds, Karstadt, Reno Schuhe, Quick Schuh, Elefanten Schuh, Nestlé, Unilever, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King....
Japan:
Toyota + Top department store
Korea:
McDonalds, Lotteria, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Pizza Hut
China/Hongkong:
Hongkong airport, Shanghai TV tower
Italy:
Alfa Romeo, Opel, VW, Atala Uno...
Brasil:
Souza Cruz, Nestlé, Danone, Trans Brasil, Coca Cola, Suzuki
