Tinker Toys

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, a stonemason, 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 allow and inspire children to use their imaginations.

How Tinkertoys Work

The cornerstone of the set is a wooden spool roughly two inches (5 cm) in diameter with holes drilled every 45 degrees around the perimeter and one through the center. Unlike the center, the perimeter holes do not go all the way through. With the differing-length sticks, the set was intended to be based on the Pythagorean progressive right triangle.

A Toy That Made History

The sets were introduced to the public through displays in and around Chicago which included model Ferris wheels. Tinkertoys have been used to create surprisingly complex machines, including Danny Hillis’s tic-tac-toe-playing computer (now in the collection of the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California) and a robot at Cornell University in 1998.

From Invention to Icon

When Pajeau and Pettit first tried to market their creation, toy buyers were skeptical. The pair hired midgets to play with Tinkertoys in the display window of a Chicago drugstore during the 1914 holiday season. The stunt worked. Within a year, over a million sets had been sold.

Modern Tinkertoys

Hasbro owns the Tinkertoy brand and currently produces both Tinkertoy Plastic and Tinkertoy Classic (wood) sets and parts. While the plastic versions offer brighter colors and more themed building options, many parents and collectors prefer the original wooden sets for their timeless appeal and durability.

Educational Value

Tinkertoys teach engineering principles, spatial reasoning, and creative problem-solving. The open-ended nature of the toy means there are no wrong answers, just endless possibilities. Children learn about structural integrity, balance, and symmetry through hands-on experimentation.

The Tinkertoy was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998, recognized as one of the most influential construction toys ever created.

Expert Tips From Parents and Educators

Experienced parents and early childhood educators offer valuable perspective on choosing and using toys effectively. Here are insights gathered from those who have seen thousands of children play.

Start Simple, Build Up

Many parents make the mistake of buying the most advanced version of a toy right away. Start with the basic version. If your child loves it, upgrade to the next level. This approach saves money and prevents overwhelm. A child who masters a simple puzzle feels motivated to tackle a harder one. A child given a puzzle that is too difficult from the start may give up entirely.

Watch How Your Child Plays

Before buying the next toy, spend some time observing how your child plays with what they already have. What draws their attention? What do they return to day after day? What gets ignored after the initial excitement wears off? These observations are worth more than any buying guide because they reveal your individual child’s preferences and play style.

Quality Time Beats Quantity of Toys

Research from the University of Toledo found that children with fewer toys engage more deeply, creatively, and for longer periods than children with many toys. Four toys produced higher quality play than sixteen toys in controlled studies. The takeaway is clear: a curated collection of excellent toys outperforms a mountain of mediocre ones.

Do Not Underestimate Cardboard Boxes

Ask any parent what their child played with most after a birthday or holiday, and many will sheepishly admit it was the box. Cardboard boxes become spaceships, castles, race cars, puppet theaters, and time machines. They cost nothing and provide some of the most creative play experiences available. Keep a few good boxes around and watch what happens.

Let Boredom Happen

Parents often rush to fill every quiet moment with a new toy or activity. But boredom is actually a powerful catalyst for creativity. When children are bored, they invent games, create stories, and discover new ways to use familiar toys. Resist the urge to solve boredom immediately and give your child the space to solve it themselves.

Lincoln Logs - A fellow construction toy with its own rich history
Etch A Sketch - Another iconic toy from the golden age of American toys