Meccano1

Created around the turn of the twentieth century by Frank Hornby in Liverpool, England, the metal construction system grew to be, arguably, by the 1930s, the most popular toy in the world. Metal shortages in and after WW2, television, alternative toys and pastimes toppled it from this position. It was made in England until 1979 (when rising costs and falling demand forced the closure of the famous Binns Road, Liverpool factory) and France since (with several changes of ownership and uncertain fortunes). A Japanese toy company, Nikko, has purchased Meccano SA, so the future of new Meccano outfits in retail shops seems secure for now. Hopefully this new development, and a thriving trade in secondhand and replica parts will keep supply confident for both adult and young enthusiasts. There are some for whom Binns Road Meccano (even of a particular period) holds the major interest, while others are more eclectic. Perhaps the plans of the new owner to introduce new technology such as remote control to the system will lure newcomers. Meccano remains the toy in longest continual production in the world.

I have a keen interest in Meccano, dormant for many years since my father introduced me to it when I was a boy, with his collection from the 1930s and new additions from the 1960s. Like many, I sold my Meccano during teenage years, but my enthusiasm has been rekindled over the past few years, along with a modest collection of parts and literature. I am fortunate to have in my city in Victoria, Australia, the Melbourne Meccano Club Inc., which provides the opportunity to meet, trade, "show and tell". Follow the link to find out more. Meccano people visiting Melbourne are always welcome!

Here is my model of the Titanic. It's about 4 feet long and pretty much to scale. I used James Cameron's book (with photos and an original blueprint) of the making of his film as a guide. The parts are a mixture of nickel-plate from pre-1927 and light red/green from 1961. Funnels from c.1971.

This is my model of a motor car chassis designed by "boy wonder" Hubert Lansley in 1928 for Meccano. The building plans were published as the first of 37 "Super Model" leaflets, for many the zenith of published Binns Road models. Powered by 12V DC motor, the model demonstrates leaf suspension, Ackermann steering, clutch, 4-speed gearbox, differential, drum and hand brakes.The model was also available to Meccano dealers in assembled form as a showpiece in their shops. The driver is my own guy; he makes his appearance on various models from time to time.

Another Super Model - single cylinder horizontal steam engine, SML 11, with plenty of action when running, as the photo shows. The Super Model leaflets explained and educated about their subject matter so that Meccano boys gained a real knowledge of many of the mighty engineering feats they saw around them. What's more, the Meccano system allowed them to build them, in a pre-computer, pre-hydraulic era. (In my model, a 6 inch pulley replaces the hub disc. I have since replaced the externally-mounted sideplate motor with a quieter, smaller, internally-mounted new French Meccano motor, driven by a belt on the large pulley).

Meccano boys were well served by the Meccano Magazine, published weekly with a circulation of 70,000 at the time the 1930s advertisement (left) was printed. It was "The World's Best Magazine for Boys" at its zenith. The MM is a fascinating glimpse into contemporary life by means of editorials, articles, letters, photographs and advertisements, contained within an invariably bold colourful cover depicting some mighty engineering achievement or an exotic foreign setting. Especially in a pre-TV world, where travel was prohibitively expensive, the MM really was a window to the world for many. The wholesome attitudes expressed in the editorial below were consistent with those of the Meccano Guild: follow the link at the end of this page to "next Meccano page".

In those days Meccano boys were clean, happy and always immaculately dressed, as seen on the 1928 advertisement above at right, or the lid from a 1953 No. 1 outfit, above at left. They could also build incredibly big and elaborate models with ease from even the most modest outfits. The model shown on the lid represents ( a variation of) the famous Giant Blocksetting Crane, one of the Super Models, which in fact could not be built from even the largest outfit ever produced, let alone the No. 1 set!