As the opening quote of this exhibit suggests, studying children's toys can give us great insight into the cultural ideals and the social realities of the time. First, toys were thought to be very gender specific, in a 1940's study of hobbies of junior high school children this is very evident. "A boy's interest in photography, cartooning, astronomy, scouting, training dogs, or fixing bicycles could become his future occupation ... the most popular of the girls' creative activities were knitting, sewing, embroidering, painting, reading, handicrafts, and sports" (Anderson 431). Although this gender specificity was true to a degree, in reality the distinctions between boys and girls' toys became fuzzy. In a household where each child would have one toy, sharing and playing of mutually agreeable games was a neccessity.

        Although the preceding article is not completely accurate, it does address a very good point; toys and play as learning and creative tools. Ethel Kawin, a psychologist at the University of Chicago wrote an article for Childhood Education in 1934 about the benefit of toys in child development. In it she classified toys into functional groups in the hope that "some materials from each functional group be eventually included in every child's playthings in order to provide 'a well-balanced diet of toys'" (123). Trains are mentioned in three of her nine functional groupings. First as "Toys for Constructive and Creative Play" (123). Then as "Toys for Dramatic and Imitative Play. Play materials of this type help to introduce the child to the social and cultural patterns of the world in which he lives" (123). And finally "Toys leading to an Interest in Science and Mechanics ... Through them he or she may begin to experience natural laws" (124). Surely model trainsets broadened children's minds who would play with the trainsets amd tinker with the gears. And many people's choices of later occupations were influenced by this play.

       Another characteristic of model railroads is their endurance and broad appeal that most toys do not possess. Especially at Christmas, the novelty of toys wears out quickly, "A good time was enjoyed by dad and son for a few days when 'first its freshness burst'" (Heinig 181). The popularity of model trains was a reflection of "the feelings of a nation at a certain date," (Swan 172) it showed our reliance and fascination with the locomotive.

        In talking of the toys of her own time, 1937, Augusta Swan noted that, "We see the progress of our age promptly produced in the forms of toy submarines, airplanes, electric trains, automobiles and many other industrial and mechanical devices" (172). She goes on to predict that, "the future historian through a study of our playthings will quite accurately evaluate our age as one of scientific inventions" (172).

Consult Rachel Kopp's Popeye Exhibit to learn about another children's toy that reflects the values of 1930's and 40's American Culture. Also, check out Todd Rhoads' Saturday Evening Post Exhibit. A large article about model railroads from this magazine that captured the ideals of Middle America was used in my exhibit.