drb
logo



"QUANTUM SHOT" #639
Link - article by Simon Rose

      In the age of LEGO, this reads like a blasphemy

      We all have our own vivid memories from our childhood – family vacations,
      friends long gone from our social circle, siblings we now see only once or
      twice a year, TV shows and movies we followed avidly and of course, toys.
      For many boys growing up in the era before the advent of video games,
      construction toys were always popular. Here’s a look back at those far
      away days.

      
      (1954 Meccano set, image
        via)

      The Erector Set was first manufactured in 1913 and remained in
      production until 1967. Similar to the older British product Meccano, the
      set had a collection of small metal beams, with holes for screws, nuts and
      bolts and for attaching devices such as pulleys, gears and even small
      electric motors.
      
Here’s an early version from the early 1920’s: (images via 1, 2) These are from the decades following World War Two: (images via 1, 2, 3) Ideal’s Klikit products date from the late 1960’s, with Super City appearing in 1967: (images via Jon Knutson) Kenner Products was a founded in 1947 in Cincinnati, and introduced its popular Girder and Panel building sets in 1957. Kenner was one of the first companies to recognize the potential of TV for advertising their toy products in the USA, the first ads airing in 1958, when these two sets first appeared: (image via) Here’s the Bridge and Turnpike Building Set, also from 1958 (the Freeway USA sets from 1966 invited you to "design and build the great highway and bridge systems of tomorrow.") - (image via) Kenner’s Skyrail offered you the opportunity to “Build and Operate Sky Rail Systems of Tomorrow”, or at least the tomorrow that was envisaged in 1963: (image via) These pages from the Kenner catalog date from 1966: (images via) This Girder and Panel Building Set from 1974 contained 340 pieces for your building pleasure (left). That same year, if you could handle 1100 pieces, you could even construct your very own five foot tall version of the recently completed Sears Tower (right): (images via) Here’s a collection of Kenner magazine ads from the sixties. This set was promoted as the very latest thing in construction toys way back in 1961: (image via) The 1964 Modern-As-Tomorrow Girder and Panel set: (image via) The Hydro-Dynamic building set with motorized pump, also from 1964: (image via) And if you preferred to concentrate on residential buildings, Kenner even had a product for you too, the Build-A-Home and Subdivision Set from 1962: (image via) In Britain, Meccano was invented in 1901 and enjoyed great popularity in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. Meccano was manufactured in Liverpool from 1914 until 1980, and is now made in France and China. (images via 1, 2) Here are some Meccano ads from the late 1930’s: (images via 1, 2) Meccano was advertised as “the world’s greatest toy” in this 1949 brochure (left). On the right is Meccano brochure from 1955: (images via) This 1956 instruction book depicts a model of an excavator, built from the familiar green and red pieces Meccano utilized for many years: (image via) Bayko was one of the earliest plastic toys to be marketed and was sold worldwide brand between 1934 and 1967. The company was bought by Meccano in 1960: (images via 1, 2) So there you have it – blasts from the past to be sure. I hope you’ve enjoyed this nostalgic look at vintage construction toys here at Dark Roasted Blend. In our final image you see puzzled Nazi soldiers getting ready to construct a tank from a "readily provided set": (image via) CONTINUE TO "TOYS THAT CREEP US OUT"! -> ALSO READ: "BAD, TWISTED AND BIZARRE TOYS" -> Simon Rose is the author of science fiction and fantasy novels for children, including The Alchemist's Portrait, The Sorcerer's Letterbox, The Clone Conspiracy, The Emerald Curse, The Heretic's Tomb and The Doomsday Mask.



RECENT ARTICLES:

Visual Caffeine #8
Visual Caffeine, Issue 8

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #7
Visual Caffeine, Issue 7

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Art Deco
Imperial Dreams: Art Deco Update

Wings, Gears, & Glamorous Ladies

1970s SciFi
DRB Pics-of-the-Day

Grand Space Adventure 1970s Art



"Dark Roasted Blend" - All Kinds of Weird and Wonderful Things, Discovered Daily!"

DRB is a top-ranked and respected source for the best in art, travel and fascinating technology, with a highly eclectic presentation. Our in-depth articles in many categories make DRB a valued online magazine, bringing you quality info and entertainment every time you visit the site - About DRB

Connect with us and become part of DRB on Facebook and Twitter.



YOUR COMMENTS::

24 Comments:

Anonymous soundchaser said...

Great article!

But look closely at the Sky Rail picture. The monorail vehicle is too large to fit through all the gaps in its course :) .

___  
Blogger Enrico S said...

Makes me think of how few kids over the last 20 years actually had toys like this. Toys you had to build with your brain and hands rather than just wiggle your fingers playing with a game controller. Thank goodness Lego's are still with us.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The "Tank kit" looks a lot more like a knocked out armoured car.

___  
Blogger Kristi's Book Nook said...

Very cool stuff.

___  
Blogger dennis.tang said...

Oh man I totally had that 'Girder and Panel' set.

I would build skyscrapers and then knock them over because of a "freak tornado".
Totally prepared me to become an architect.

___  
Anonymous Jesse Walker said...

You'd probably love this recent episode of BBC's 'Toy Stories with James May' where they build a real bridge out of Meccano... its a blast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0S4tOd3A0k

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You'd probably love this recent episode of BBC's 'Toy Stories with James May' where they build a real bridge out of Meccano... its a blast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0S4tOd3A0k

Jesse

___  
Anonymous kim lyvang said...

I had a Meccano set as a kid in Denmark in the fifties. It also had the 220v. motor. Got electrocuted many times. Wish I still have it.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I must have had one of the last Erector sets. And a Girders and Panel kit.

Good times.

___  
Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you for posting pics of the Klikit kit! I've been trying to describe that toy to friends for over 25 years and they all looked at me like I was nuts! I used to play with that and the girder and panel kit for hours at a time.

Never knew the name til now. Thanks!

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Kenner toys were great (the hydraulic set was, for me, the most fabled toy of my childhood) and, even better, remakes are available:

http://www.bridgestreettoys.com/products/buildingsets.html

___  
Anonymous Smerky said...

I'm not sure I understand the 'blasphemy' reference at the start. Is it because Mechano and Erector predated Lego? Is plastic more religious than metal?
I don't get it.

___  
Anonymous Stalker said...

@smerky

you can read David's comment on the reason of blasphemy..

they were so awesome that no one would believe today that those existed!

___  
Anonymous Patron Zero said...

Super City was truly cool, it could be used with Ideal's Motorific car sets and Boaterific too !

___  
Anonymous Richard Kirk said...

I used to have that exact Hydro-Dynamic kit when I was about ten. I remember it well. Happy days.

___  
Anonymous lejon astray said...

The Tank Kit is a wz34, Poland 1939.

http://tyrannosaur.tripod.com/pol/PolandWz34.jpg

___  
Blogger Avi Abrams said...

Thank you for all the comments!

about the tank... must the vintage, highly collectible "construction set", then :)

___  
Blogger Unknown said...

I HAD the Kenner Hydro-dynamic set when I was a kid. It was great - til I burned out the pump motor.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Meccano is still awesome! I got to play with my grandfather's kit as a child and nowadays if I come up with some mechanical idea I'll test it out in meccano and toy with ideas in that.

Best real-life mechanical design mockup tool ever. It's not just a toy, it's a tool.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think I've seen those Girder and Panel sets used in some really bad science fiction movies

___  
Blogger GMpilot said...

I received an Erector set one Christmas; I loved it so much that the following year I got a bigger one, with a real electric motor! My proudest achievement was the conveyor I made with it.

Building stuff really is more fun than blowing it up. We seem to have forgotten to teach our kids that.

___  
Anonymous Daap said...

Another cool construction toy was the German made Plastikant. Not as cool as Lego, but close...

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where are the girls in the images?Would not be politically correct today I'm sure. Had to smile at the pipe smoking dads and what's up with the tie and suits the kids are wearing! Must say do miss the imaginative play opportunities available vs the flat screen "toys" our kids play with today, but thank goodness for including girls and losing the cigar.

___  
Anonymous Mary said...

Erector refreshes good memories from years ago. Nice review, thanks. I would love to visit old construction toys museum if such one exists.

___  

Post a Comment

<< Home


SF ART & BOOK REVIEWS:
Don't miss: The Ultimate Guide to NEW SF&F Writers!
Fiction Reviews: Classic Cyberpunk: Extreme Fiction
Short Fiction Reviews: Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness" (with pics)
New Fiction Reviews: The Surreal Office



READ OTHER RECENT ARTICLES:


Abandoned, Dieselpunk
DRB Pic-of-the-Day

Abandoned: Streamlined Three-wheeler

Visual Caffeine #6
Visual Caffeine, Issue 6

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #5
Visual Caffeine, Issue 5

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Hellish Weather on Other Planets

Wild, Untamed, and Uncut

Medieval Suits of Armor

Metal Body Suits vs. Weapons of Medieval Destruction

World's Strangest Theme Parks

Amusement to the (twisted) extremes!

Enchanting Victorian Fairy Tale Art

"Then world behind and home ahead..."

Adorable Pedal Cars

Collectable Pedal Vehicles Showcase


Japanese Arcades: Gundam Pods & Other Guilty Pleasures

These machines have gone up to the next level


Modernist Tallinn Architecture

Delicious blend of old and new!


Early Supercomputers: A Visual Overview

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons"


Futuristic Concept Cars of the 1970-80s

French, Italian & Japanese rare beauties


Epic 1970s French Space Comic Art

DRB Time-Slice: Valérian and Laureline


The Trees Are Escaping! The Abandoned Prison in French Guiana

"Great Escape" from the Devil's Island



FULL ARCHIVES
(with previews, fast loading):

2022/16
2015/14
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006

Link Lattes

Feel-Good & Biscotti Issues





CATEGORIES:
Feel-Good! | airplanes | animals | architecture | art | auto | boats | books | cool ads | famous | futurism | food
gadgets | health | japan | internet | link latte | military | music | nature | photo | russia | steampunk
sci-fi & fantasy | signs | space | technology | trains | travel | vintage | weird | abandoned