Constructional toy
Meccano Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1908 - circa 1911
Materials
Cardboard and metal
Measurements
Box - 330 mm (length); 215 mm (width); 27 mm (height), Each piece (min) - 34 mm (length); 9 mm (diameter), Each piece (max) - 141 mm (length); 45 mm (diameter)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 666959
Caption
Meccano was invented in 1898 by Frank Hornby, the father of two young boys, who created for them a model construction system. This consisted of re-useable metal parts including axles, gears, nut and bolts, wheels etc. from which they could construct working models similar to the cranes they enjoyed watching at Liverpool Docks. The set was first patented as ‘Mechanics Made Easy’ in 1901 but was later changed to ‘Meccano’ and manufactured by the British company Meccano Ltd between 1908 and 1980. The market for Meccano is still thriving although it is now made in France and China.
Summary
A black cardboard box containing numerous Meccano pieces of different shapes, colours and sizes. The lid is detached but retained. A colour printed label on the box lid shows a boy operating a Meccano model crane supported on a square structure. Printed above and below this picture are the words 'Meccano Registered All Over The World, Engineering for Boys 1' and 'Makes Cranes, Bridges, Towers, Aeroplanes, Wagons, Signals And Hundreds Of Other Working Models'. The interior is subdivided into green compartments. These contain girders; metal trays; four red, white and blue RAF roundels; cogs, and wheels etc. The various pieces are different colours - red, green, black silver and gold coloured. Total number of items is 89.
Marks and inscriptions
On any of the metal pieces of Meccano: 'MECCANO'
Makers and roles
Meccano Ltd, maker