The versatile toy engineering construction system Meccano (first made by Frank Hornby in 1908) reached its heyday in the early 1960s, when it was the most popular Christmas present for boys throughout Britain. Its wheels, pulleys, brass gears and bosses were particularly well-made and impressive. Purchased by Lines Brothers (makers of Tri-Ang toys) in 1964, the colour scheme was changed to yellow, black and silver, and it was never quite the same again.
