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When
25 September 2015 - 10 January 2016
Where
National Museum of Scotland, Grand Gallery, Level 1
How much
Free
#museumtoys
Children learn about their environment through play and interaction, and toys are one of the major ‘tools’ they use to help them learn.
Developments in science and technology over the last 200 years have dramatically altered the world we live in. Toy manufactures have always been quick to respond to these developments.
New inventions inspire new toys. The advent of the railway in the 19th century led to the creation of simple wooden toy trains. As the railway network grew, the range of toy trains, carriages and track also expanded.
New materials and production methods led to cheaper, safer, hygienic toys. The invention of plastic injection moulding machinery meant good quality toys could be produced quickly and cheaply, with no sharp edges, and easily cleaned.
From much loved playthings to somewhat bizarre educational tools, this display explored how toys have grown in response to the changing world.
Pixie Phone toy gramophone in pear-shaped tinplate case decorated with animal musicians, in maker's carton, by Gama, Germany, 1950.
Toy car by Kingsbury, representing an American streamlined car and based on the Chrysler Airflow of c.1934.
Model of a cantilever crane, made from Meccano, plastic, metal and string by Albert M.J. Hutchings, Dalkeith, 2012.
Original Spirograph in box, complete with instruction booklet, paper pack and example drawings, by Denys Fisher (Spirograph) Ltd, England, 1960s.
Wilesco R200 Automkraftwerk steam powered nuclear power station toy, by Wilhelm Schroder and Co., West Germany, c.1965.
Header image: Streamlined toy train set by Hornby, representing the LNER Silver Jubilee train of 1935, c. 1936.
