| Construction sets are the kind of toys that always | | | | shaped pieces and structures that are difficult to put |
| seem to please children. They have a simplicity and | | | | a name to, Meccano is a wonderful journey of |
| directness, which is probably what has provided their | | | | discovery for any imaginative child. From the jumble |
| continuing appeal down through the generations. It | | | | of pieces with no shape or arrangement, a crane can |
| may be that innate need to build that we all seem to | | | | arise, or a vehicle of interesting design, or just |
| have, or it may be the fascination of using nuts and | | | | something that looks good and gives a lot of |
| bolts and watching something we have created grow | | | | satisfaction for just being there. |
| before our eyes. One thing is sure, construction toys | | | | It's true that there is a somewhat old-fashioned |
| have been and continue to be a winner with children | | | | connection surrounding Meccano. It can be thought of |
| everywhere. | | | | as a game that older people - fathers and even |
| One maker of excellent construction set toys who | | | | grandfathers - once played with. Yes, they did, but |
| has seen educational toys come and go is Meccano. | | | | today's young children play with Meccano too! The |
| The company was created in 1901 by Fred Hornby in | | | | geometric creations made from construction sets |
| England. It is the kind of toy more often associated | | | | have pretty much all been created before by |
| with boys, but of course in this day and age of | | | | someone, but that doesn't make it obsolete. There is |
| political correctness, there is no reason whatsoever | | | | an abiding and continuing appeal about Meccano. It |
| why girls can't get to grips with construction toys like | | | | never grew old, and it never will. It was an |
| Meccano too. The complex construction | | | | educational toy for previous generations, and it will be |
| requirements, combined with a strong creativity | | | | the toy of choice for generations to come. |
| element and a need for imagination is exactly the | | | | Meccano has undergone many changes over the past |
| kind of thing that may appeal to many girls. | | | | 100 plus years, and it is likely to see even more |
| We tend to associate today's toys more with | | | | changes in the future too. Some things never change, |
| whirring electronics, usually on a screen. Computer | | | | however, and construction sets this good will always |
| games are indeed popular, but don't overlook the | | | | be at the forefront of mechanical engineering |
| simplicity and enduring appeal of construction sets. | | | | imagination and good building coordination among |
| From a basic array of nuts and bolts, angle pieces, | | | | children. |
| girders, metal plates, steel strips, wheels and strange | | | | |