Hi all,
Here is a You Tube video on the history of the A.C. Gilbert company, which started out with magic sets, moved on to Erector sets (like Meccano), and expanded in to other areas of toy making.
Here is a You Tube video on the history of the A.C. Gilbert company, which started out with magic sets, moved on to Erector sets (like Meccano), and expanded in to other areas of toy making.
They bought the American Flyer range of model trains in 1938 - their working accessory sets were incredible. There are some shots of catalogue pages, including the famous James Bond slot-car set which Moonbase has covered before. Their war work is also covered.
Mr Gilbert (1884-1961) was an amazing man, in addition to putting himself through medical school with his magic sets, he was an Olympic champion - winning a Gold medal in pole vaulting at the 1908 London Games. At the end of the video is a great quote from a great man 'Never work at anything that isn't fun'.
Mr Gilbert (1884-1961) was an amazing man, in addition to putting himself through medical school with his magic sets, he was an Olympic champion - winning a Gold medal in pole vaulting at the 1908 London Games. At the end of the video is a great quote from a great man 'Never work at anything that isn't fun'.
Ah, the Great Detective strikes again! Although I'm surprised you didn't mention Gilbert's Atomic Energy Lab! I read recently that one of the radioactive materials included was Polonium, but that is contradicted by this Wikipedia page...
ReplyDeletehttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_U-238_Atomic_Energy_Laboratory
I was amazed at the eyewatering price point -$530 in 2019 Dollars!
I take it back, this page definitely identifies Polonium as a component in the kit!
Deletehttps://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/atomictoys/GilbertU238Lab.htm
I knew Gilbert produced chemistry sets, but not the details. Thanks for all the extra information - wow. I never had a chemistry set myself, perhaps that was a good thing after all.
ReplyDeleteI live in the very backyard of the original A.C. Gilbert complex. The former Gilbert Factory is now called "Erector Square," and is a place for all sorts of artist's lofts and small businesses. I go there often, and wish I was back in 1930!!! Had many Erector Sets back in the day, and even a small "S" gauge American Flyer train set for a very short time. I built SO many cool things with Erector Sets! Great company!
ReplyDeleteAmazing Zigg. Erector Square! Love that. I was never a constructionist as a kid really so I'm always impressed with childhood CV's like yours!
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