Action Toys

By Louis Peterson

This unusual early work presents a collection of toys with a variety of typical mechanical movements and worth-while construction problems. Instructions are extensively illustrated with diagrams. Contents Include: Tools and Supplies; Transferring Drawings; Sawing; Fastening Parts Together; Joints, Coloring and Finishing; Standing, Rocking, and Wheeling Animals; Jacks and Acrobats - Performers on Strings; Combat and Competition Toys; Walkers and Dancers on an Inclined Plane; and Carts and Chariots. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Oct 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781447492061

Book preview

Buster

INTRODUCTION

The toys described in this book have been named Action Toys, because they embody a variety of typical mechanical movements. The purpose in presenting this collection of toys is to offer such worth-while construction problems as will be suited to the ability of the beginner and also possess such attractive features as will arouse his interest and create in him a desire to do construction work for himself. Moreover, this series of toy problems has been designed to involve such educational elements as will promote growth of insight and knowledge of the methods used in performing the kinds of jobs that require planning, accurate work, and successful completion. Furthermore, in sending out these action toys, it is hoped that, by virtue of their mechanical merits, together with their amusing qualities, they will so fascinate the beginner that his first love will develop into a sustained admiration and ripen into permanent interest that will mature into a healthy, steady habit of activity in doing creditable, useful work.

We are so apt to think of toy-making as child’s work. Well, it is that. But, it is also work for grownups, even if, in skill and expertness, they have graduated from the amateur class. Toy-making is, however, an ideal educational activity for the school where classes in industrial arts must be carried on with few tools and at very small expense. But, bear in mind also that toy-making serves equally as well for home industry. The wise parents will provide a home shop where the children can be actively engaged in doing purposeful work, in teaching each other, and in friendly rivalry. Sometimes Dad also wants to be let into the competition!

It is fully as much fun to construct a toy as to play with it. A toy is quickly made and finished. The work does not become irksome. A new toy is started with fresh interest. Perhaps it is to be a gift to the younger brother or sister. There is joy in such work. Soon the beginner will have acquired sufficient familiarity with tools and materials to make Shimmy Walker so he can walk, The Merry Dancers so they can dance, and then tackle Bronco Buster, staying with him to the finish. The next may