The world's first, and finest, plastic construction toy, BAYKO was invented by Charles Bird Plimpton and produced in Liverpool between 1934 and 1964 - though it was still mentioned in the January, 1967 MECCANO products price list. |
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Plimpton Engineering, the original manufacturer of BAYKO, was eventually taken over by MECCANO in September, 1959. |
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The initial success of BAYKO sets is probably, at least in part, due to its being the world's first [and finest!] mass produced plastic construction toy. |
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The earliest BAYKO sets were made in BAKELITE, and bore the label : - |
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“BAYKO Light Constructional Sets”. |
I have a little information on BAKELITE and its inventor… |
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The second world war saw major advances in plastic technology and, after some post-war experimentation, perhaps driven by post-war shortages of materials, Plimpton settled on the familiar plastic for most parts. |
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The mid 1950s saw a gradual change to POLYSTYRENE for part of the range. |
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MECCANO started with almost all parts in POLYSTYRENE before a retooling, moving the product back to plastic, [c1963] was halted by the final death of BAYKO. |
Unfortunately BAYKO has never had quite the range of parts which LEGO enthusiasts have enjoyed, though far more than other equivalent construction toys. |
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To solve particular needs, some BAYKO modellers have taken matters into their own hands - or at least they have taken a hacksaw into their own hands! |
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Some people get hot under the collar at the very thought of treating BAYKO parts in this way, but we all have a number of broken parts, so my view is, “Why not?” |
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It's easy to see the potential of the simple 'cuts' opportunities [left], which any of us could create - even me! |
Below here are links to related info : - |
Click on any of the links below for related information.
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