| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The current Japanese owners, Nikko, manufacture sets in France and China.
The Meccano Company was formed by Frank Hornby after his idea in 1901 of a new toy - 'Mechanics Made Easy'. This very quickly became known as Meccano, and was soon on sale across the world.
The initial factories were in James Street and Duke Street in Liverpool, UK, but by 1914 production had moved to a new site at Binns Road.
1n 1909 the company added to its range by launching the 'Hornby System of Mechanical Demonstration' which included pulleys. This was the first use of the Hornby name, which later was to become synonymous with their DublO model railway system.
In 19201920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. January 9 Britain announces it will build 100,000 homes for war veterans. January 10 Leagu the company started to produce O scaleO scale (or O gauge is a scale commonly used for toy trains and model railroading. Originally introduced by German toy manufacturer Marklin around 1900, by the 1930s three-rail alternating current O gauge was the most common model railroad scale in the Un model railways, and this production line continued into the 1960's.
In 1938Events January -June January 3 The March of Dimes is established by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. January 11 Frances Moulton is the first woman to become president of a US national bank. January 20 Wedding of king Farouk I of Egypt and Farida Zulficar in Cai the company launched the DublO model railway system, and production continued until 1964Events January January 1 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. January 3 Senator Barry Goldwater announces that he will seek the Republican nomination for President. January 5 In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Ort.
By the late 1920's, Meccano had became an international household name and many people today look back at their childhood with fond memories of building various models.
Some believe that Meccano is no longer made, but in truth it has never gone out of production. It is one of the few products in existence to have such a long running success. At one stage Meccano was manufactured throughout the world (Spain, Argentina, USA, England, France), however in more recent times production has declined and the rights to Meccano have passed through three or four owners in France, to the current Japanese owners, Nikko, who still manufacture sets in France and China.
There are world-wide Meccano enthusiasts, with hundreds of websites covering every conceivable aspect of Meccano history, model building instructions and Frank Hornby's success with various products. Individuals and companies still manufacture replica parts world-wide, some long out of production.