Seccano

Seccano is a European construction toy brand known for its modular metal construction sets. Like other screw-and-strip systems, Seccano lets users build mechanical and architectural models by connecting perforated metal strips with nuts, bolts, and a variety of connectors. Standard components typically include steel strips with evenly spaced holes, nuts and bolts in matching thread sizes, angle brackets, gears, wheels, axles, and various couplers and joints. Assemblies are secured by aligning holes and fastening with screws and nuts, and typically require only a small screwdriver.

The system supports both mechanical experiments and imaginative building, enabling gear trains, linkages, levers, and movable structures. It is valued educationally for teaching basic engineering concepts such as symmetry, leverage, and spatial reasoning.

History and distribution: Seccano originated in Europe in the mid-20th century and was marketed in several countries under the Seccano name or under license. Production and availability varied by market, with peak popularity in the 1950s–1970s. Over time, the brand declined in many regions, though original sets remain collectible and occasional reissues appear in limited runs or through vintage toy dealers.

Legacy: Seccano contributed to the family of modular construction toys that shaped hands-on exploration of mechanics prior to the widespread use of plastics and digital design. It is remembered alongside Meccano and other screw-and-strip systems as an early STEM-oriented construction method.