Sand toy:Paddle Wheel Sand Toy

This sand toy bears the label of the Tower Guild, a cooperative workshop of toy makers located in South Hingham, Massachusetts, and one of the first American toy manufacturers. The guild operated from about 1830 well into the 20th century. This simple mechanical toy uses falling sand to rotate the paddle wheel attached to the crank which makes the figure look as if it actually operates the device. An educational toy of a sort, it explains gravity, crank systems, and the physics of mechanical power.