Fascinating
facts about the invention of the
Tinkertoy Construstion Sets by Charles
Pajeau in 1914. |
TINKERTOY® |
|
| Spokes, spools, rods and
reels . . . Playskool's Tinkertoy® Construction Sets, the tools of America's tinkerers
were invented in 1914. Tinkertoy® Construction Sets are one of the truly classic
toys of all time. They have driven the imaginations of children for generations, proving
that fun and stimulating toys never lose their appeal. |
 |
The possibilities for construction play
are endless with Tinkertoy® Construction Sets. In 1992, to freshen up in preparation for
the big 80 birthday event, Playskool unveiled a major redesign to this classic toy of
motion and construction. The new, all-plastic Tinkertoy® sets feature brightly-colored,
easy-to-assemble parts that allow kids to build bigger structures than ever before. Each
set includes instructions to create vehicles that really roll, tall towers and even free
moving Ferris Wheels. |
| Tinkertoy® Construction
Sets are the invention of Charles Pajeau, a stonemason from Evanston, Illinois who
established The Toy Tinkers company. Inspired by watching children play with pencils,
sticks and empty spools of thread, Pajeau developed several basic wooden parts which
children could assemble in a variety of three dimensional abstract ways. He designed his first set in his garage, and with high hopes, displayed the
toy at the 1914 American Toy Fair. But nobody was interested. He tried his marketing
skills again at Christmas time. He hired several midgets, dressed them in elf costumes,
and had them play with "Tinker Toys" in a display window at a Chicago department
store. This publicity stunt made all the difference in the world. A
year later, over a million sets had been sold. Playskool
acquired the Tinkertoy® line from Child Guidance in 1985. |
TO
LEARN MORE
RELATED INFORMATION:
History of
Toys from The Great Idea Finder
Invention of Erector Sets
from The Great Idea Finder
Invention of Lincoln Logs
from The Great Idea Finder
ON THE BOOKSHELF:
The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle : And Other Surprising Stories About Inventions
by Don L. Wulffson / Paperback - 128 pages (1999)
/ Puffin
Brief factual stories about how various familiar things were invented, many by accident,
from animal crackers to the zipper.
ON THE WEB:
Tinkertoy
History
Brought to you by the owners of Tinkertoy, Hasbro.
(URL: www.hasbro.com/default.asp?x=corp_history_tinkertoy)
Building Basics:
Tinkertoys
From Just the Arti-FACTS at the Chicago Historical Society.
(URL: www.chicagohs.org/AOTM/dec97fact4.html)
Lesson
Plan: Building a House
You are going to need some tinkertoys for this house building lesson.
(URL: www.contractor.edu/buildhouselp/buildhouselp.html)
Construction Toy
Homepage
These pages are devoted to vintage construction toys of all types. This site is intended
for the enjoyment of its visitors and has no connection with any commercial firm.
(URL: www.chem.sunysb.edu/msl/lego/homepage.html)
WHERE TO FIND:
Tinkertoy
Classic Jumbo Builder Set
By Oddzon / ASIN: B00004TFRN / Less than $30.00
Tinker Toys have entertained kids for decades—ever since their 1913 invention by
Charles Pajeau, who was inspired by children playing with pencils and empty spools of
thread. This set features 102 versatile wooden spools, connectors, and brightly colored
dowels packed in an easy-to-store keepsake canister. Simply add a child’s imagination
for hours of creative fun.
|
Tinkertoy® Construction Sets are a registered trademark of Hasbro.
| Reference
Sources in BOLD Type |
This
page revised March, 2005. |
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