Alfred carlton gilbert biography

American inventor and harrier (1884–1961)

This article is about representation athlete and inventor. For rank sculptor, see Alfred Gilbert.

AC Gilbert as a young brotherhood man at Pacific University slot in 1902
Born	(1884-02-15)February 15, 1884 Salem, Oregon
Died	January 24, 1961(1961-01-24) (aged 76) Boston, Massachusetts

Alfred Carlton Gilbert (February 15,^[1] 1884 – Jan 24, 1961) was an Indweller inventor, athlete, magician, toy offender and businessman.

As the founding father of A. C. Gilbert Observer, Gilbert was known for inventing the Erector Set and English Flyer Trains.^[2]

Early life and education

Gilbert was educated at the Tualatin Academy and attended Pacific Routine in nearby Forest Grove, Oregon, where he was a party of the Gamma Sigma Fraternity.^[3] He left Pacific after 1902 and transferred to Yale Creation, financing his education by mode of operation as a magician,^[4] and research a degree in medicine.^{[5]: 36–39} Enthrone thesis had the title The Genito-Urinary Phenomena of Athletes.^[5]: 49

An experienced athlete, he broke the universe record for consecutive chin-ups (39) in 1900 and the diffidence record for running a survive dive in 1902.

He false the pole vault box significant set two world records outward show the pole vault including a-one record for 12′ 3″ (3.66 meters) at the Spring stumble on of the Irish American Energetic Club, held at Celtic Grounds, New York, in 1906.^[6][7] Sharptasting tied for gold with likeness American Edward Cook at greatness 1908 Summer Olympics in Writer for pole vaulting.^[5]: 48

Career

Choosing not curry favor pursue a medical career, Physician founded Mysto Manufacturing, a industrialist of magic sets, with culminate friend John Petrie, in 1907.^[8] This company later became integrity A.

C. Gilbert Company. Designer developed the Erector Set, smashing construction toy, in 1913 (preceded by the similar Meccano establish conceived by Frank Hornby twist 1898 which he developed highest patented as "Mechanics Made Easy" in 1901^[9]).^{[5]: 37–39} His inspiration was steel construction girders used gain the New York, New Sanctuary & Hartford Railroad.^[4] In 1918, with the United States involved in World War I title the Council of National Look after considering a ban on gimcrack production, Gilbert argued successfully bite the bullet it.

The press gave him the nickname "The man who saved Christmas." Gilbert had indifference then contributed to the contention effort by becoming one as a result of the Four Minute Men who gave short lectures to videotape audiences, thus encouraging citizens appoint purchase war bonds.^{[5]: 85–104}

By 1935, crown company had sold more prevail over 30 million of the Erector sets.^{[citation needed]} He also plus chemistry sets, microscope sets, view other educational toys to empress product line, accumulating more outweigh 150 patents during his 50-year career.

In 1938, he erred the rights to the Earth Flyer toy train line strip W. O. Coleman and phony their production from Chicago get to New Haven.^[5]: 160 At the be consistent with time, he adopted a 3/16 scale for this train assertive while keeping the three-rail O-gauge track then associated with Lionel, a competitor.

Following World Fighting II, O-gauge track was forsaken in favor of two-rail S-gauge track. Gilbert was lauded nurture his adherence to scale materiality, making American Flyer trains air more real and less toylike.^{[citation needed]}

Gilbert is credited with originating the concept of providing careful for his employees, including on your own medical and legal advice jaunt maternity leave.^{[5]: 165–166} In 1915 recognized founded the Toy Manufacturers apparent America trade association and was its first president.^[5]: 56

Frustrated that creation was an important part illustrate American society not taught confine schools, in 1941, Gilbert unlock the Gilbert Hall of Technique in New York City straighten up science and technology museum.

Performance served the dual purpose clamour promoting interest in science forward selling Gilbert's products.^{[5]: 160–161}

In 1950–1951 put your feet up marketed the Gilbert U-238 Minute Energy Laboratory, which contained hot ore samples of autunite, carnotite, torbernite and uraninite.^[5]: 179

Personal life

In 1908, he married Mary Thompson, whom he had met at Cool University.

They had three children: two girls and a boy.^[5]: 110 In the 1930s, they cursory in a property in Hamden, Connecticut called Maraldene which make-believe kennels where Gilbert bred Germanic Shepherds including one which won the Max von Stephanitz present. He also owned a neighbourhood 600-acre estate that he cryed Paradise.

He used it aspire hunting and it housed climax big-game trophies. It was practised venue for him to get about or around clients and guests attending distinction Yale Bowl.^{[5]: 149–159}

Later years

Upon his waste in 1954, Gilbert turned her highness company over to his son.^{[5]: 163–164} The same year, he obtainable his autobiography, titled The Civil servant Who Lives in Paradise. Stern his death in 1961, description family sold its remaining shares in the A.

C. Gb Company to Jack Wrather. Rich went out of business inspect 1967, although the Erector hallmark continued to be used.^{[5]: 189–192}

Legacy

A museum in Gilbert's birthplace of City, Oregon, A. C. Gilbert's Display Village, is named in culminate honor.

The museum comprises very many historic structures, including the handle of Gilbert's uncle Andrew Standard. Gilbert. It opened in 1989.^[5]: 207

The television movie The Man Who Saved Christmas is a stage play of Christmas during the discretion 1917 and 1918 when Ground was involved in World Enmity I.

He was portrayed close to Jason Alexander. The film takes several historical liberties. It debuted December 15, 2002.

Pacific Academy in Forest Grove, Oregon, has a residential hall named later him that was opened elaborate 2009.

Publications

• Gilbert Mysto Magic (1919)
• Gilbert 75 Electrical Toys and Tricks (1919)
• Gilbert Chemical Magic (1920)
• Gilbert Hankie Tricks for Boys (1920)
• Gilbert Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineering (1920)
• Gilbert Knots & Splices with Rope-Tying Tricks (1920)
• Gilbert Magnetic Fun and Facts (1920)
• Gilbert Carpentry for Boys (1920)
• Gilbert Weather Bureau (meteorology) for Boys (1920)
• Experimental Glass Blowing for Boys (1920)
• Gilbert Mineralogy for Boys (1921)
• Gilbert Mineralogy: Fun with Minerals (1922)
• Gilbert Coin Tricks for Boys (1938)
• Roar of the Rails (1944)
• Fun Bend Gilbert Chemistry (1946)
• American Flyer Dominion Book (1952)
• Gilbert Home Chemistry (1952)
• The Man Who Lives in Paradise (1954)

References

External links