[AnAmericanAbroad]

Now here's some Christmas toys. I'm sure many older Freepers will remember these, and indeed may have had some of them. The slideshow at the Scientific American site is quite interesting.

Of course nowadays, can you even imagine taking the Atomic Energy Set through the airport give the TSA? Bear in mind this toy contained real uranium; try explaining you're bringing that to Florida (or wherever) for little Billy for Christmas! You're likely to find yourself spending the next several Christmas holidays in Gitmo.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

[ixtl]

Not only the Atomic Energy set, can you imagine the Consumber Products Safety Commission getting its hands on a CHEMISTRY set? Why, a child might hurt themselves with all those chemicals. Not ot mention the possibility of cuts from a broken test tube. And the alchohol lamp with its open flame? Now the Erector set. There is a real hazard. All those tiny nuts and bolts a child might swallow.

Of course, I had an Erector set, and my brother had a chemistry set, and we both survived.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Slide show: http://www.scientificamerican.com/slideshow.cfm?id=toys-ac-gilbert

[Fresh Wind]

Many more here:

http://www.jitterbuzz.com/scikits.html

[piasa]

I used to have a children’s book about atomic energy; it was hard bound, blue or teal in color, and had an “atomic genie” illustration on the front. I wish I still had it, it was a lot different from the average children’s book today.

[niteowl77]

When I was little, Christmas day was spent at my maternal grandparents' house, where there was a well-preserved Erector set complete with instructions that seemed - to me, at least - as if they had been printed many generations ago. Even then, it provided a contrast to the toys being made, as everything in it was well-crafted and obviously produced with durability in mind.

(The electric motor was probably overbuilt by an incredible factor.)

This brings back the memories.

Mr. niteowl77

[Venturer]

I still have my Carbide Cannon.

Don’t know where I would buy the carbide today

Remember whena gun and holster set was a great Christmas gift. Can’t find those any more, but you can get a video game where you kill thousands electronically.

[madprof98]

I remember fondly both my erector set and my chemistry set, especially the chemistry set. When I searched for a similar set as a gift a few years ago, I realized that the PC crowd had taken all the fun out of childhood.

[and so?]

I have a 1946/46 #4 1/2 Erector set and the box it came in, although the box is not in the best shape

My father-in-law used it to mock up things he invented...since he had several patents, it was a good "toy" for adults too.

The 50 series erector set, chem set and microscope I grew up with and used/abused went the way of most "toys" handled by a kid that did not fully understand nor appreciate what they were.

In my own defense, I will say that I learned a lot from them and the sacrifice to the junk heap of my personal history does not detract from the knowledge gained.

[bmwcyle]

thinkgeek

[Rocky]

I had an erector set and a chemistry set from Gilbert. Kids don’t know what they’re missing today.

[KosmicKitty]

AC Gilbert lived not too far from where I live. The Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden CT has a wonderful collection of AC Gilbert toys if you’re ever in the area.

My father actual met AC when he did some work on his property. Said he was a very nice guy.

Wish I had an Atomic Energy Set for my husband. That would make his Christmas!!

[ops33]

There still are imagination toys. Last night we went to a family Christmas party. One fortunate 10 year old boy received a very large Lego set. His Mother was telling how much he loved the Legos and everytime he built something with them it was different.

[pyx]

Coping Saw Work by Edward F. Worst

This book is still available at Lee Valley Tools for $10.95 Canadian.

Without any reservations, I very highly recommend Freepers grab a copy of this gem of a book before it too disappears. Meccano sets are great, but with coping saws and now readily available inexpensive scroll saws, one can make just about anything out of ordinary cheap wood.

With a coping saw and a few brass paper-clips or a few small brad nails, needle-nose pliers and a small hammer, boys and girls of all ages over five, can make just about any mechanical toy (that actually moves and works) to amuse themselves.

[Oldhunk]

Thanks so much for posting this. Wonderful memories for me as I sit here on Christmas morning with my grandchildren watching them play with the toys of their generations.

I spent many an hour building stuff with my erector sets.