Alfred Carlton Gilbert facts for kids
AC Gilbert as a young fraternity man at Pacific University in 1902
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| Born | February 15, 1884 Salem, Oregon |
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| Died | January 24, 1961 (aged 76) Boston, Massachusetts |
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Alfred Carlton Gilbert (born February 15, 1884 – died January 24, 1961) was an amazing American inventor, athlete, and toy maker. He was also a talented magician and a smart businessman. Gilbert started the A. C. Gilbert Company. He became famous for inventing the Erector Set and American Flyer Trains.
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Early Life and Amazing Sports Feats
Alfred Gilbert went to Tualatin Academy and then Pacific University in Oregon. He paid for his college by working as a magician. Later, he studied medicine at Yale University.
Gilbert was a fantastic athlete. In 1900, he broke the world record for doing 39 chin-ups in a row! In 1902, he set a new record for the running long dive. He also invented the pole vault box, which is still used today. He set two world records in the pole vault. In 1906, he jumped 12 feet 3 inches (3.66 meters). At the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, he won a gold medal in pole vaulting. He shared the gold with another American athlete, Edward Cook.
Building a Toy Empire
After college, Gilbert decided not to become a doctor. Instead, he started a company called Mysto Manufacturing in 1907. He made magic sets for kids. This company later became the famous A. C. Gilbert Company.
Inventing the Erector Set
In 1913, Gilbert invented the Erector Set. This was a construction toy that let kids build all sorts of things. He got the idea from looking at the steel beams used to build bridges and buildings for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. Before his set, there was a similar toy called Meccano, but Gilbert's version became very popular.
The Man Who Saved Christmas
During World War I, the United States government thought about stopping toy production. They wanted factories to focus on making things for the war. But Gilbert argued that toys were important for children. He successfully convinced the government not to ban toys. Because of this, newspapers called him "The man who saved Christmas." Gilbert also helped the war effort by giving short speeches to encourage people to buy war bonds.
More Popular Toys
By 1935, Gilbert's company had sold over 30 million Erector sets! He also created other fun and educational toys. These included chemistry sets and microscope sets. Over his 50-year career, he got more than 150 patents for his inventions.
In 1938, he bought the rights to the American Flyer toy train line. He moved their production to New Haven. Gilbert was known for making his American Flyer trains look very realistic. They were less like simple toys and more like real trains.
Helping His Employees
Gilbert was also known for being a good boss. He was one of the first people to offer special benefits to his employees. These included free medical and legal advice. He even offered maternity leave for new mothers. In 1915, he helped start the Toy Manufacturers of America trade group and was its first president.
Gilbert Hall of Science
Gilbert believed that learning about invention was very important. He felt it wasn't taught enough in schools. So, in 1941, he opened the Gilbert Hall of Science in New York City. This was a museum about science and technology. It helped kids get interested in science and also showed off Gilbert's products.
In the early 1950s, he even sold a Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory. This kit included real, but very small, samples of radioactive ores.
Family Life
In 1908, Alfred Gilbert married Mary Thompson. They had met at Pacific University. They had three children together, two girls and one boy. The family lived in a large home in Connecticut. Gilbert also owned a big estate where he enjoyed hunting. He used it to entertain friends and clients.
Later Years and Legacy
Alfred Gilbert retired in 1954 and passed his company to his son. He also wrote a book about his life called The Man Who Lives in Paradise. After he died in 1961, his family sold their shares in the company. The A. C. Gilbert Company closed in 1967. However, the Erector toy brand continued to be made by other companies.
Remembering Gilbert
Today, a museum in Salem, Oregon, is named in his honor. It's called A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village. It opened in 1989 and includes some historic buildings.
There was also a TV movie about him called The Man Who Saved Christmas. It showed his efforts during World War I. The movie came out in 2002.
Pacific University in Oregon also has a building named after him. It's a residential hall that opened in 2009.
Images for kids
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AC Gilbert as a young fraternity man at Pacific University in 1902
