Construction set:Tinkertoy Wonder Builder

Charles Pajeau and Robert Petit began producing the classic Tinkertoy construction sets in 1914 in a small woodshop in a Chicago suburb. Calling their company The Toy Tinkers of Evanston (Illinois), the pair developed the set of wooden spools and rods to fit in a mailing tube to hold down shipping costs. The initial set of 81 parts was called The Thousand Wonder Builder, emphasizing not just the infinite number of structures kids could make from the set, but also highlighting youngsters' attraction to toys of open-ended play. Pajeau, the inventor of the company, created the construction sets and other toys, in addition to planning and writing the marketing campaigns, advertising jingles, and little ditties to appeal to children. One of his earliest suggested that Tinkertoys would benefit girls as much as boys: "I build a thousand wondrous things that teach both girl and boy; I bring content and happiness; My name is Tinkertoy."