Great Toy Design: Anker Construction Kit
I think it is important to constantly be talking about great toy design. My source for these is Chris van Uffelen's appropriately named book, "Great Toy Design."
I liked this Anker Construction Kit from Anker Steinbaukasten. It is a construction set that uses ecologically sound, artificial stone (quartz sand, chalk and linseed oil) as a building material. The original sets were created in 1880 and are still being sold.
The shapes are so complex that some are made by hand. They come with "precise three-dimensional drawings and layout plans." According to the book, you can make "churches, pavilions, watch towers, bridges, castles and fortresses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries."
They grade it as five and up but it looks like it would challenge anybody. Bottom line I think it is an attractive use of shapes and colors and is great for learning history, architecture and having fun. What do you think of it?
Thidar commented:
Gee, would that be the John Wayne rumoured to have been booed by trpoos during the Viet Nam war? There was a little tool used to open C-Rations that was nicknamed a John Wayner. Gung ho dudes who thought they were gonna wipe out Charlie all by themselves were derisively called John Wayne. A lot of em got killed tryin' to.
Paula commented:
I love that recycling truck! I can't wait until my niece is old eugnoh for one. Maybe I need to buy one now but will I be able to resist playing with it myself if I get it too soon?
