Updated: December 23, 2025

How did Aurora even come up with the notion in the first place to manufacture classic monster models? There is more than one version, depending on whom you wish to believe. According to Tom Graham’s book Aurora Model Kits published by Schiffer Books and still available, three molds for knights in armor were the impetus in 1956 for Aurora to create a long line of figure kits ranging from these early knights and the Three Musketeers to Indians and Guys and Gals. None of these types sold near as well as the classic movie monsters.

Aurora’s advertising and idea-employee Bill Silverstein thought that boys would buy and build movie monster kits such as Frankenstein and Dracula if they became available. It took Silverstein a couple of years to convince Aurora’s decision making Board to go for it. The first Frankenstein mold pattern was displayed at the Hobby Industry Association of America ( HIAA ) annual convention in 1962. The reaction of excitement by some boys who had been let into the show on the last day convinced two previously skeptical and initially indifferent California distributors that Aurora might have a winner. Kits were ordered and the rest was history.