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A couple of weeks ago I posted a story about the origins of Legos. Of course this took my mind to other toys, such as Tinker Toys. I never owned a set but enjoyed playing with them with friends who did. Interesting to note, the idea of the round can was meant to be a mailing tube for easy posting. 😀 The following scene takes place in Evanston Illinois in 1914.
Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
STICKS AND STONES
After a long day of carving tombstones, Robert hurried down his basement stairs. He had to strike while the iron was hot.
***
“Robert, you’ve been home an hour and haven’t greeted me or little Grace.”
He flashed a sheepish grin at his wife. “Come see my invention.”
“It looks like a pile of wooden sticks and spools to me.”
“So it is! For children to build and create with. Whatcha think?”
“I think your supper’s getting cold.”
***
Robert Pajeau, Tinker Toy creator, left his estate to underprivileged children, stating that kids had built his empire and should share in it.
Thanks Rochelle for sharing this inspiring story.
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Glad you enjoyed, Sadje. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a pleasure my friend
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Oh that is such a beautiful, beautiful ending, and gives hope for human kind — or do those kind of people only exist in the past?
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Dear Ain,
I’d like to think these kinds of people exist in the present, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never had tinkertoys but I had Minibricks. Any chance of a Minibricks story sometime? (or perhaps you didn’t have them in the US)
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Dear Neil,
I’d never heard of Minibrix. It turns out it was a British company that existed from 1935-1976. I might just have to look more deeply into it while I’m on the toy kick. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Informative posts for people outside the US!
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Thank you, Reena. Always happy to share. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always fascinated by creative toys that help develop spatial abilities in children. My life might have been a lot easier had I been given some as a child. Lovely story.
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Dear Sandra,
I never had a set but I remember them being the most popular toy in kindergarten. Thank you for crafting such a nice comment. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had never heard about Tinker toys, but I know they would have given me hours of fun just like Friday Fictioneers
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Beautiful inspiring story..
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Many thanks, Vartika.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Michael,
I’m happy to have you in Friday Fictioneers and glad it gives you hours of fun. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an uplifting story (so to speak.) Much needed smiles!
Anne
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Dear Anne,
I’m glad my little story brought a smile to your face. 😀 Thank you hugs.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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For some the art of invention is simply lost. Good story, Rochelle.
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Dear Mason,
I’m sure if Tinker Toys were invented today they would be virtual and could be assembled on an iPhone. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes I think they would.
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Brings back many fond memories. I DID have tinker toys. Even hand carved ones, too. Mom wanted a boy, and they were “boy” toys so those I had. Many of my foster homes had them, too. I had them in the house when the boys were young, as well. The best kind of toy, no batteries and a world (or more) of imagination! YEAH for the “old” toys… may they come back this year in droves!
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Dear Bear,
How lovely that you had “boy toys.” I remember how much fun Tinker Toys were. Never had a set of my own but loved playing with them in school and at my friends’ houses. No batteries indeed. Here’s to imagination without them.
Shalom
Rochelle
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I was at the store this week looking for an old “GI Joe” type barbie (adventure person). Nothing they had came even close. sigh…
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Nice story.
Very famous original toy.
Such a kind-hearted inventor, who left his fortune for children.
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Thank you, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story and what a happy ending to share his profit with the kids who needed it most. Thanks for another history lesson, Rochelle.
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Dear Jen,
I really had to dig for this history. I couldn’t even find a photo of Mr. Pajeau. That’s just wrong. At any rate, I’m glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom
Rochelle
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What a great story and history lesson (via the link) of Tinker Toys. Although many children today have never played, or even seen one, they have probably heard of them. Another lesson of how a simple idea and a little “tinkering” can lead to a great invention, fortune & fame.
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Dear Jan,
I see what you did there. 😉 It seems everything has a beginning. I love to find those beginnings when I can. Thanks, m’luv.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We still have Tinker Toys that Terry played with, then our kids, then our grandkids. I hate to toss them out. Maybe we’ll donate them to the Salvation Army store :). Wonderful toys, timeless.
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Dear Linda,
I wouldn’t toss them, they might actually be worth something. 😉 They were so much fun to play with.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never heard of tinker toys, but, wow, would I have loved them as a kid! Of course as ‘boy toys’ I wouldn’t have got them… Such a beautiful, inspiring story, Rochelle. and he sure was a good person. With the need of reducing plastic, shouldn’t these toys be ‘the thing’ these days?
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Dear Gabi,
I think Tinker Toys should make a comeback. I really would’ve loved to have had a set of my own, but then, I was a girl. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I love how this story inspired you to share the story of another smart mind who created a toy that allowed kids to be all the more creative. Can’t say I ever played with them, myself!
Shalom and lotsa connecting love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’m so sorry to hear of your deprived childhood. 😉 I am glad you enjoyed my story. 😉 Great photo, too. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa well-constructed hugs,
Rochelle
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Once you take me out of spam…
Yes, I was totally deprived… Sigh.
So glad you liked the photo 😉
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Poor Dale,
Deprived child and then tossed into a spam folder. 😉 It’s a hard life.
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Did I call it or what? 😉
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Very characteristic of the creative mind, to be very focussed on the task and less so on the people. You caught that well in your story. It was heart-warming to learn that Robert Pajeau left his fortune to underprivileged kids.
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Dear Penny,
I could only imagine in this scenario. Although his leaving his empire to underprivileged children was the truth. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I did love those! 🙂 Lovely depiction of the playfulness and delight!
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Na’ama Y’karah,
One of the greatest and simplest toys of the 20th century IMHO…next to the Etch-A-Sketch 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 Love that Etch-a-sketch! 🙂
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Wow, Rochelle,
The similarities of the toys is amazing. I’d never made that connection. Well done, again.
Thanks for all you do.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
There were many building toys. Lincoln Logs were another favorite. And when all else failed there were notched Popsicle sticks. Remember those? Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
I remember all but the notched popsicle sticks. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Interesting story, dear Rochelle. My salute to Robert Pajeau. Shalom.
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Thank you, Indira. ❤ Good to see you here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tale Rochelle. Last week Lego, this week Tinker Toy – you’ve got me reminiscing about the fun I had making things with Meccano in my younger days!
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Dear Keith,
I’m not familiar with Meccano. Night have to look that one up. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story. Great little toys that inspire imaginations.
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Thank you, James. Histories of children’s toys fascinate me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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back in the day, he didn’t to go to the shark tank tv show to become successful. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Things were simpler back then. Or were they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
My girls loved this toy and other creative ones.
It looks like there was some engineering involved.
Fortunate of the shildren who have always enjoyed them.
Very interesting …
Carino y Abrazos,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
I always wanted a set of my own. They were so much fun to play with at school and my friends’ homes. I think my parents’ reasoning had more to do with too many pieces to get lost than my being a girl. I don’t remember ever doing anything remarkable with them. 😉
Gracias para sus palabras amables.
Shalom y cariño,
Rochelle
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Well I never, Id heard of Tinker Toys I thought, but then expecting to see cast metal cars I realised it was probably Dinky Toys I was thinking of, as ever Rochelle, an inspiring tale!
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Dear Shrawley,
Tinker Toys were probably more of an American thing. And I’ve never heard of Dinky Toys either. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, what a beautiful story. I love that he left his estate to underprivileged children. Makes me like the Tinker toys, which I got to enjoy as my brothers had sets, even mores. Thanks for your uplifting stories!
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Dear Brenda,
I really wish I could’ve found more about Mr. Pajeau. I suspect he was someone worth knowing. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He sounds like a nice chap. I Googled some images and they’re still much the same 🙂
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Dear Ali,
It’s nice to know that no one has tried to “improve” on the original design. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Pajeau sounds like a good man, Rochelle. I hope we never run out of men like him. Your story made me think: the off-handed way his wife told him to eat his supper, reminds me that often times it’s the ones closest to the dreamers are the last to see what’s been done. They just want their “Pajeaus” to eat well and stay healthy!
Shalom u’vracha,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
Being a wife myself, I imagine that Grace didn’t always see her husband’s ideas as ground breaking. 😉 Amen to never running out of men like him. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Tinker Belle Merlot W(T)F,
I’m not sure how combine those sticks and sprockets to create a wine opener, but I’m sure you’ll find a way. What I wish you’d write about is the song, “Great Balls of Fire,” Did it have anything to do with habanero peppers and an angry housewife? Asking for a friend.
Hiding in the woodpile,
Marty Woodchuck
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Dear Marty Woodchuck,
Quit chucking my wood, would ya? Goodness gracious, tell your friend I’ll have to ask someone about the song. I’ll bet one could make a dandy wine bottle holder out of Tinker Toys. Might have look into that. For now…L’chaim,
Look out liver,
Look out gums,
Look out tummy,
Here it comes.
Shalom Hic!
Tinker Belle Merlot W(T)F
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“Tickle Your Liver” would be a good name for a new vintage.
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I never saw those building sticks before! Now I know what Tinker Toys are.
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Happy to show you something “new” Liz. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do hope there are some old sets that come out of cupboards to be played with! A great toy – new to me.
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Dear Miranda,
I think Tinker Toys have become something of a collector’s items. At least the vintage ones. Happy to introduce you. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Inspiring story.
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Thank you, Oneta.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a marvellous inventor ! I love your little history snippets. And what a good man.
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