Set, Construction
Object number2007.142.4 a-aa
Manufacturer
Tinkertoy
Datec.1950
OriginUnited States of America
MediumWood; paint; cardboard; plastic
Credit LineIn Memory of Elizabeth Marie Demone and George Fred Tuma
DimensionsAll measurements are for Length unless otherwise specified. (a,b together) Length: 23.75 ; Height: 3.5
(c-m) Width: .25
(c) 1.375
(d) 1.25
(e) 2.125
(f) approximately 3.375
(g) 5
(h) 7.375
(i) 6
(j) 5.25
(k) approximately 2.375
(l) approximately 2
(m) 1.75
(n-s) Width .5
(n,o) 1.3125
(p) 1.1875
(q) approximately 1
(r) .5
(s) approximately 1.5
(t) Width: .625 ; Length: 1.5
(u) Width: .6875 ; Length: 1.25
(v) Width & Length: .5
(w) Width: 1.875; 1 ; Length: .4375
(x) Width & Length: 1
(y) Width & Length: .75 ;
Thick: approximately .1875
(z) Width & Length: 1
(aa) Body: Length--1.875 ; Width--.875
Wing: Width--.4375 ; Length--.875
Inscriptions(a,b)
Handwritten in pencil on opposite end of opened end, "Rounic" [?].
Marks(u)
Engraved on one side "TINKERTOY".
(aa)
Wing embossed "MADE IN U.S.A."
Historical NotesTinkertoy set used by the donors, Kenneth L. and Ronald H. Tuma, collected to enhance existing collections on childhood play. The Tinkertoy Construction Set was created in 1914, one year after the A. C. Gilbert Company's Erector Set by Charles H. Pajeau and Robert Pettit in Evanston, Illinois. Pajeau designed the toy after seeing children play with pencils and empty spools of thread. He and Pettit set out to market a toy that would inspire children to use their imaginations. The cornerstone of the set is a wooden spool roughly two inches in diameter with holes drilled every 45 degrees around the perimeter and one though the center. Unlike the center, the perimeter holes do not go through all the way. With the differing-length sticks, the set was intended to be based on the Pythagorean progressive right triangle. Hasbro owns the Tinkertoy brand and currently produces both Tinkertoy Plastic and Tinkertoy Classic (wood) sets and parts.
Previous owner
Kenneth L. Tuma
Previous owner
Ronald H. Tuma
On View
Not on view
