Larry Hudson nous illumina en ce 2008-12-31 21:44 -->
> Eero Ahonen wrote:
>> Larry Hudson wrote:
>>
>>> I was born in '37 so I'm also a grumbling old man (more of a curmudgeon
>>> actually).   ;-)   So my childhood was also pre-plastics.  My equivalent
>>> nostalgia is for (all metal) Erector Sets.
>>
>>
>> I have a strange feeling that that name would be considered somewhat
>> weird and/or unsuitable for children's set.
>>
> LOL
> 
> Nevertheless, "Erector Sets" as they were called, were very well known 
> and popular toy construction sets at that time (late 40's, early 50's or 
> so).  I had great fun with mine -- a mid-range set.  Always dreamed of 
> having their biggest set, but could never afford it -- or rather, my 
> parents couldn't.  ;-)  Of course, earlier than this were the all-wood 
> Tinker Toys, also very well-known and popular at the time.
> 
> Tinker Toys consisted of a bunch of wooden wheels and rods (dowels) of 
> various lengths.  I don't remember any other shapes, but there might 
> have been.  The wheels had a hole in their center and eight more around 
> the rim where the rods could be inserted to connect them.  The ends of 
> the rods had a slight taper and a narrow slit.  This slit gave tnem a 
> slight springiness, and could also take other things like strings as 
> additional ways of connecting them.
> 
> Going by my very imperfect memory, they looked somewhat like the 
> attached picture.
> 
> Tinkey Toys were more for toddlers and Erector Sets more for "budding 
> engineers"  ;-)  Of course, sadly, these days something like an original 
> Erector Set could never make it to market -- too dangerous.  Lots of 
> nuts and bolts and stuff that could be swallowed, and the pieces were 
> thin sheet metal which could cut or poke an eye.  I really pity the 
> current younger generation for being so coddled and overprotected.  "In 
> my day", sure we got hurt, but that was just a normal part of growing 
> up.  And we learned a lot on the way.
> 
>      -=- Larry -=-
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
Let see those that I played with...

Lego (still have)
Meccano (still have)
Milibricks (somewhat rubbery red, and only red, bricks)
Northern Log (100% wood)
Thinker Toy (still have some pieces...)
One with some very large blocks made out of granular styro foam. Don't remember 
the name. Prety fragil.
A building set, with a pump, pipes and several transparent thanks. Not sure of 
the name. The pieces looked like red steel columns and beams, there where 
translucent, printed "plates" looking like industrial walls.

-- 
Alain
-------------------------------------------------
Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every
opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if
there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of
blindfolded fear.
Thomas Jefferson

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