Head Office & Factory at Binns Road, Liverpool
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Meccano is a metal constructional toy first patented by Frank Hornby in 1901 as "Mechanics Made Easy”. UK production was based at Liverpool, England. Originally at 18 James Street, the business moved several times, first to 10 & 12, Duke Street in 1907, then to 274, West Derby Road in 1909, and finally to a purpose built factory at Binns Road in 1914, where the company remained until the end of UK production in 1979.
This was not the first constructional toy ever, but seems to have been the first in metal that incorporated all the important elements that make such a system work; e.g., regularly spaced holes which take bolt fixings and axles. The original standards of 1/2" hole spacings, 5/32" BSW threads and 8 gauge (0.160" Diameter) rods have never changed and are still in use today.
The product was not an instant success. Initially it was crudely made, using thin tinplate strips with the edges folded over to give some rigidity, and a small set cost 7s 6d; very expensive in the early 1900's. However, by clever marketing and sheer persistence it slowly began to take off and in 1907 the name was changed to MECCANO. From then on it gained in popularity as more and newer parts were added, increasing the scope and complexity of the models that could be built. There were tremendous difficulties caused by imitators, who had to be pursued through the courts for infringement of patents.
Over the years the system was greatly expanded to include gears and other specialised parts. Quality was also improved to a standard that allowed them to claim it as, "real engineering “. Other products were introduced, including Hornby Railways, Aeroplane Constructor outfits, Motor Car Constructor outfits, Kemex (chemistry) outfits, Elektron (electrical) outfits and later Dinky Toys.
British production stopped at the end of 1941 for the remainder of WW 2 and resumed in 1945, taking some 5 Years to recover full production. Many specialised parts were not reintroduced after the war, but most of these obsolete parts are now available in replica form. After a brief period of prosperity in the 1950's Meccano's fortunes started to wane and after a series of takeovers production at the Liverpool Binns Road factory ended in 1979. However production continued at a Meccano subsidiary plant in Calais, France and continues to this day, though there have been several changes of ownership and mixed fortunes.
For many years Meccano Ltd. produced the "Meccano Magazine”. Started in 1916 as a simple promotion sheet, it went on to become one of the finest ever boys magazines which in its heyday was distributed world- wide, with a circulation of up to 70,000 copies a month. The last issue was in 1981, but the present day enthusiast has a wealth of other Meccano literature at his disposal.
Meccano has a strong adult following with about 20 clubs in the UK plus many others world-wide. Some of the advanced models produced in recent years go far beyond what could have been envisaged in the early days of the system.
Meccano colour schemes changed many times over the years, which makes the dating of parts relatively easy. In brief, UK colour schemes were as follows:-
Jan 1901 - mid 1908 Folded edge tinplate.
Mid 1908 - Sept 1926 All Nickel.
Sept 1926 - June 1927 Nickel/Bright Red/Pale Green.
June 1927 - Mar 1933 Dark Red & Green.
Mar 1933 - Nov 1934 Mid Red & Green.
Nov 1934 - Dec 1941 Red/Blue/Gold for UK; Red/ Blue /Green for export.
Sep 1945 - Aug 1958 Mid Red & Green.
Aug 1958 - Aug 1964 Light Red & Green.
Aug 1964 - Early 1966 Yellow/Silver/Black.
Early 1966 - Mar 1970 Yellow/Zinc/Black.
Mar 1970 - Mar 1978 Yellow/Zinc/Blue.
Mar 1978 - Nov 1979 Dark Blue & Yellow.
Frank Hornby
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