Before the advent of video games, model toys provided pleasure and satisfaction for millions of young people in the 20th century. From tin soldiers to electric cars whizzing around Grand Prix tracks to extensive model railways replete with stations, bridges and rolling stock, model toys have enriched the childhood of every child who's played with them. Not only do they provide the fun of play but also allow the child to create a world of his own.
The first model toys were doll's houses which date back 500 years. They were first developed in Bavaria, and by the 17th and 18th centuries were popular in Germany, Holland and England.
Later came building kits. The first were simply wood blocks which were assembled to form various structures such as buildings and animals. Then in the 20th century, construction sets such as Meccano arrived. These allowed children to develop engineering skills while assembling such things as cranes and vehicles. Later as technology developed model planes, cars, trains and others of increasing sophistication were developed.
Using model toys allows the child to replicate the world in which he lives. Often, the model toys would be based on items developed in the real world. For example, world war two witnessed a surge in the range of model aircraft on the market, and Hornby brought new trains onto the market as British Rail introduced the real trains and carriages.
Far from dying out, model toys are undergoing resurgence in popularity as fathers who once played with Hornby trains and Corgi cars are introducing them to their own children.
The first model toys were doll's houses which date back 500 years. They were first developed in Bavaria, and by the 17th and 18th centuries were popular in Germany, Holland and England.
Later came building kits. The first were simply wood blocks which were assembled to form various structures such as buildings and animals. Then in the 20th century, construction sets such as Meccano arrived. These allowed children to develop engineering skills while assembling such things as cranes and vehicles. Later as technology developed model planes, cars, trains and others of increasing sophistication were developed.
Using model toys allows the child to replicate the world in which he lives. Often, the model toys would be based on items developed in the real world. For example, world war two witnessed a surge in the range of model aircraft on the market, and Hornby brought new trains onto the market as British Rail introduced the real trains and carriages.
Far from dying out, model toys are undergoing resurgence in popularity as fathers who once played with Hornby trains and Corgi cars are introducing them to their own children.