"The Man Who Lives in Paradise" The autobiography of toy manufacturer, A. C. Gilbert. NY: Rinehart & Co., (1954). 1st ed.
The A. C. Gilbert Company was once one of the largest toy companies in the world. Alfred Carlton Gilbert (1884-1961) founded the company in 1909 as a company that provided supplies to magic shows. Then, in 1911, Gilbert invented the Erector Set and introduced it two years later. Beginning in 1922, A. C. Gilbert made chemistry sets and other sets for budding scientists. Microscope kits came in 1934, then a line of inexpensive reflector telescopes. In 1938, Gilbert purchased the American Flyer, a struggling manufacturer of toy trains. Gilbert re-designed the entire product line, producing 1:64 scale trains running on O gauge track. After WWII, Gilbert introduced S gauge model railroad kits. Although these new trains were popular, Lionel outsold American Flyer nearly 2 to 1. Once the largest employer in New Haven, Connecticut, the Gilbert Company struggled after the death of its founder in 1961 and went out of business in 1967. American Flyer was sold to Lionel. The brand name on its Erector Set and microscope products was retained by subsequent manufacturers. [Source: Wikipedia]
"The Man Who Lives in Paradise" The autobiography of toy manufacturer, A. C. Gilbert. NY: Rinehart & Co., (1954). 1st ed.
The A. C. Gilbert Company was once one of the largest toy companies in the world. Alfred Carlton Gilbert (1884-1961) founded the company in 1909 as a company that provided supplies to magic shows. Then, in 1911, Gilbert invented the Erector Set and introduced it two years later. Beginning in 1922, A. C. Gilbert made chemistry sets and other sets for budding scientists. Microscope kits came in 1934, then a line of inexpensive reflector telescopes. In 1938, Gilbert purchased the American Flyer, a struggling manufacturer of toy trains. Gilbert re-designed the entire product line, producing 1:64 scale trains running on O gauge track. After WWII, Gilbert introduced S gauge model railroad kits. Although these new trains were popular, Lionel outsold American Flyer nearly 2 to 1. Once the largest employer in New Haven, Connecticut, the Gilbert Company struggled after the death of its founder in 1961 and went out of business in 1967. American Flyer was sold to Lionel. The brand name on its Erector Set and microscope products was retained by subsequent manufacturers. [Source: Wikipedia]