Figure 1.-- This looks to be a box top from a French Meccano set. I'm not sure how to date, perhaps the late 1940s. A reader writes, "This picture brings back memories of this toy. There was always an exciting picture on the front of the box. Often it was a structure that could not be built with the items in the box."

Another toy for boys in France were Meccano sets. We mote Meccano sets in the 1930s-40s, except for the World War II period. We are, however, unsure about the full chronology. We believe they were popular, but have no idea just how popular. The idea of building things tends to appeal to boys across cultures. We suspect, however, there are differences among countries as a result of wider cultural patterns. There are countries which are known for engineering genius. And this probably is reflected in both the interests of children as well as the activities offered to children. We are not sure just how France fits into this pattern. There are notable French engineering triumphs such as Delesseps' Suez Canal, although he famously failed in Panama. This effort resulted in one of the greates financial scandals of the 19th century.) And of course Eifel's Tower looks rather like a mamouth Meccano project. We are not sure how the Meccano sets compared in popularity France with other countries like American and Britain. It is notable that the French erector sets were Meccano, a toy licensed from the British company. Hopefully our French readers can tell us more. A reader writes, "This picture brings back memories of this toy. There was always an exciting picture on the front of the box. Often it was a structure that could not be built with the items in the box. There was always a manuel inside which showed some of the the the things the set could build. The more enterprising could design their own structures. It was a great buiding set but after a while some of the pieces bent to build something could not be flattened. These pieces then appeared 'broken'. I wonder how much it would cost the parents to provide a building kit to make the crane?"

Chronology

Another toy for boys in France were Meccano sets. We mote Meccano sets in the 1930s-40s, except for the World War II period. We are, however, unsure about the full chronology. We are sure Meccano sets continued to sold after the War in the 1950s and 60s as our readrs describe in the "rEader comment section'. We do not yet, however,have images to show this.

Popularity

We believe they were popular, but have no idea just how popular. We are not sure how the Meccano sets compared in popularity France with other countries like American and Britain. Hopefully our French readers can tell us more.

Appeal

The idea of building things tends to appeal to boys across cultures. Girls tend to be much less interested. There may be differences among countries as a result of wider cultural patterns. We susepect, however, that this is an inate difference built into our DNA. Cultural factors surely play a role in establishing gender expectations, but it is difficult not to believe tht there are innate determents drawig boys and not girls to construction. There are countries which are known for engineering genius. And this probably is reflected in both the interests of children as well as the activities offered to children. We are not sure just how France fits into this pattern. There are notable French engineering triumphs such as Delesseps' Suez Canal, although he famously failed in Panama. This effort resulted in one of the greates financial scandals of the 19th century.) And of course Eifel's Tower looks rather like a mamouth Meccano project. It is notable that the French erector sets were Meccano, a toy licensed from the British company. One photograph suggsts that Meccano was beong used in schools.

Reader Comments

A reader writes, "This picture brings back memories of this toy. There was always an exciting picture on the front of the box. Often it was a structure that could not be built with the items in the box. There was always a manuel inside which showed some of the the the things the set could build. The more enterprising could design their own structures. It was a great buiding set but after a while some of the pieces bent to build something could not be flattened. These pieces then appeared 'broken'. I wonder how much it would cost the parents to provide a building kit to make the crane?"

A French reader writes, "I had almost forgotten this wonderful toy. It was made in metal. Mécano was a very popular toy for French boy after World War II. All French boys knew Mécano and were fond of it. I think a majority of boys received one on some occassion or the other, especially for birthdays or Christmnas. This toy was conceived for boys 8 years old and over. They had progressive possibilities in difficulty indicated by the box number. The nummer one was for the little boy or beginner. The image shows the box nummer 4. They had also additional boxes with engineering motors , electrical motors, ect. Inside these boxes they had a lot of exemples possibilities with the reference for each piece. Like ours buddies, my brother and I receuved Meccano sets as gifts. Personnaly I remember few. I prefered electric trains. , I had train sets which I set up in a room next to my bedroom. When I turned 13 years old I began to be very interested in electricity and radio, At this time I lived in Paris and my room was full of books, magasines as well electronic material and I didn't permit the maid to touch anything. My mother was sometime a bit afraid by all jumble but not my father. My brother went even futher, he didn't permit anybody to enter his room! My sister' room was a perfect girly spot. It was always perfectly tidy with a lot of dollies. She loved much specialy a " baigneur " ( celluloid dolly ) and she was forever changing its garments."

Created: 7:44 PM 8/2/2007
Last updated: 12:05 AM 11/1/2017