Meccano

Meccano is an iconic global toy brand. It is more than just a toy; it is educational, teaching basic mechanical principles like levers and gearing. Some of the more famous brands made by Meccano include SPYKEE and ERECTOR. The system is so versatile that even pre-school children can construct using Meccano.

Originally called "Mechanics Made Easy" Meccano was invented in 1901 in England by Frank Hornby and manufactured by the British company, Meccano Ltd. It was a model construction kit consisting of perforated metal strips, plates and girders, with wheels, pulleys, gears, shaft collars and axles for mechanisms and motion, and nuts and bolts to connect the pieces. The pieces were designed to fit together and the only tools required for construction were a screwdriver and spanners.

As the construction kits gained in popularity they soon became known as Meccano and went on sale across the world. The word "Meccano" was thought to have been derived from the phrase "Make and Know".

There are annual Meccano exhibitions around the world, notably in France (at a different venue around May each year) and at Skegness in England (around July every year). Many notable shows also take place in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand each year to name a few.