Tinkertoys

Tinkertoys are a construction toy system. They consist of spools, rods, and connectors. The spools are cylindrical pieces with holes in the ends and sides. The rods are of various lengths and are used to connect the spools. The connectors are usually in the shape of a circular disc with holes that allow rods to be inserted at various angles.

The original Tinkertoy set was invented by Charles P. Buchan and first sold in 1914. It was produced by the Toy Tinkers Company. The toys were designed to encourage creativity and imagination, allowing children to build a wide variety of models, from simple structures to complex machines. Early sets included a colorful assortment of wooden parts.

Over the years, Tinkertoys have undergone several redesigns and reintroductions by different manufacturers. Later versions incorporated plastic components and introduced new types of pieces, such as wheels, gears, and even simple electric motors, to enable more elaborate creations. Despite these changes, the core concept of modular construction and open-ended play has remained central to the Tinkertoy brand. The toy's enduring popularity is attributed to its ability to foster problem-solving skills and spatial reasoning in children. It has been recognized as a classic educational toy.