Summary

This No.7 Meccano Set was given as a gift by H.V. McKay to Headlie Taylor in 1922 to assist him, as the Chief Engineer for HV McKay, in the development of innovations for agricultural equipment. In particular, the donor remembers the Meccano set being seen as a tool to assist in the development of the lifting mechanism for the front of the header harvester.

Physical Description

Large wooden box with hinged top and two smaller drawers below. Metal handles on shorter side and on drawers. Inside is a collection of Meccano, including batteries. Inscription of top of box and inside lid in gold lettering.

Significance

This item offers us an exceptional insight into the process of innovation. Headlie Taylor led the world with the development of the header harvester. Given the influence of Meccano on many generations of boys, it is fascinating to see how it was used by one of the world's leading agricultural engineers.

Meccano was a sophisticated and versatile construction toy and could be used to create any number of mechanical devices: cars, bridges, cranes, tractors, etc. Prior to the introduction of television and other competitors like Leggo, Meccano enjoyed worldwide popularity and was often the inspiration for boys to pursue careers in engineering and construction. Prior to WW2 there were three Mecanno Clubs in Victoria. Mecanno was manufactured in England from 1908 to 1979, and has since been manufactured by subsidiaries.

To quote Graham Jost, a Mecanno historian: "1922 saw the introduction of the famous No. 7 Meccano Outfit. (This outfit formed the basis of what became the L Set of the 1930s and subsequently the No. 10 Set.) With it, many of the major prize-winning models could be built, and it included special loom parts, the complete electrical outfit, a 4-volt electric motor and accumulator and a clockwork motor. Housed in a stained oak cabinet, the No. 7 was the pinnacle of Meccano ownership, and quite unaffordable to most."

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