Toys · 1914
Construction Toys and Collectibles Define Play in 1914
In 1914, playrooms reflected an era of rapid industrial innovation and vibrant popular culture. Children built miniature worlds with wooden spools and steel girders while collecting baseball cards inside snack boxes on the eve of the Great War.
- 1914 | The Toy Tinkers | Construction Toy
Tinkertoy Construction Set
Invented by Charles Pajeau, this iconic system of wooden rods and spoked hubs debuted to give children endless possibilities for creative architectural play.
- 1914 | Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein | Cards
Cracker Jack Baseball Cards (E145-1)
Packaged directly inside boxes of candied popcorn, this legendary 144-card set featured vibrant portraits of baseball stars like Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner.
- 1914 | Dowst Mfg. Co. | Toy Vehicle
Dowst Die-Cast Miniature Model T
Widely considered the first die-cast toy car, this miniature metal Model T Ford laid the groundwork for the iconic Tootsietoy line.
- 1914 | Geo. Borgfeldt & Co. | Bisque Doll
Kewpie Dolls
Based on Rose O'Neill's popular comic illustrations, these chubby porcelain cupids became an international merchandise sensation produced by German manufacturers.
- 1914 | A.C. Gilbert Company | Steel Model
Erector Set
Marketed with the famous 'Hello Boys!' advertising campaign, these steel girder sets allowed children to assemble functional bridges and motorized cranes.
- 1914 | A. Schoenhut Company | Wooden Toys
Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus
Featuring poseable wooden clowns, acrobats, and wild animals, this intricate play set was a staple of early twentieth-century playrooms.
- 1914 | Lionel Corporation | Model Trains
Lionel Standard Gauge Electric Trains
Electrified steel locomotives pulled detailed passenger cars along heavy three-rail tracks, captivating young train enthusiasts across America.
- 1914 | Margarete Steiff GmbH | Plush Toy
Steiff Button-in-Ear Teddy Bear
Handcrafted in Germany with premium mohair and wood-shaving stuffing, these luxurious jointed bears remained the gold standard of plush toys.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?