WHAT DID CHILDREN BUILD AND WHY?

People often say that a child's greatest gift is their imagination. The erector set was designed to utilize this enormous talent. The A.C. Gilbert company did manage to have an instruction manual, seen below, in each box. My father described the manual as "a guide" and nothing more. Inside the manual were pictures of various objects that could be built with that erector set. The guide showed what each of the eight model's could build. The remarkable thing about the manual was that their were no step by step instructions only pictures of various designs. As a result it was up to a child's imagination as to what and how to create their masterpiece.

The 7 1/2" Greenbelt Erector Set Manual

The manual called the "How to make 'em book" displayed pictures of objects in a number of different skill levels. These objects included simple items such as a sled, table or a flat bridge. In the higher models the manual described that air compressors, engines, buildings, cars, and draw bridges could be built. The picture below shows a truck in which chickens were transported in. These pictures displayed what was popular at the time. The manual in the Greenbelt museum, which was copyrighted in 1938 shows styles of cars that I am sure were revolutionary at the time.

A Chicken Feed Truck, Makable With The 7 1/2" Set

The question that I had after I saw these elaborate designs was, did children build these projects for fun or was it more for learning purposes. After some thought I decided that it was probably both. Parents see that these sets are indeed reasonably priced educational toys and still manage to excite the children. I am sure they felt these sets were better than having a child running around the neighborhood. As for the children,they saw them only as fun. In addition, many boys, including my father, would compete with their friends. "My next door neighbor and I would have a contest to see who could use up the most parts in their set"7.

In the manuals introduction A.C. Gilbert, the dynamic owner, gives a message to all the boys, that I believe sums up the excitement for children better than I could:

"You'll find engineering thrills by the dozen building with Erector. One day you can be an automobile engineer and build a big motor truck. Put it together--piece by piece--with your own hands. Another day you can construct a giant Derrick with real electric motor in it--and then make it work just like the ones you see on the highways. Then you can build a draw bridge that actually opens and closes--a towering ship crane such as used in Uncle Sam's Navy Yards--a mighty hoisting engine--an airplane--and dozens of other thrilling engineering marvels.

Does that sound like fun? I'll tell you boys, being an engineer is the most exciting thing in the world. And that's just what you are when you have one of my new Erector's.

Remember too, that building these models is only half the fun. There's an electric motor in all sets commencing with the 5 1/2" and the final thrill comes when you hook them up and see them hum into action. You can have fun and thrills you'll never forget.

Your friend, A.C. Gilbert

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