Springs & Cogs
These toys move using the power of springs. You either push the spring down or wind it up. Simple spring toys store energy in a coil for a short time when you push it tightly together or pull it apart. When you let go, the energy is released making the toy move. Clockwork toys store energy for longer in a wound spring with a controlled release. These vary from sophisticated automata to cheap plastic walking toys. Friction toys also use clockwork mechanisms but the release of energy is not controlled. Cogwheels are used to convert the energy into movement.
The Jack-in-the-box is one of the best known toy that uses a spring to make it move. When the lid is pushed closed the spring is compressed; when it is opened the spring is released and the toy jumps up as far as the spring allows. The longer the coil of the spring, the greater the force of energy released. The toy originated in the 1500s when it was known as a Punch-box. This suggests that it may have been based on the puppet character that we know as Punch of Punch and Judy fame. Early examples have heads made from finely carved wood or papier mache that spring out of wooden boxes.
Simple wind-up toys use turning handles. On display is an example of a racing toy where the jockeys and riders are attached by strings to a drum inside a box; by turning the handle children coil the string around the drum and 'race' the horses to the post (1905-1910).
From about 1700, French craftsmen made expensive clockwork toys for wealthy adults out of materials such as silver. During the 1800s and 1900s, expensive clockwork toys, such as walking dolls were made. There were also cheap mass produced tin toys. Clockwork musical boxes are believed to have been developed by clockmakers in Switzerland from about 1700. They were not produced as children's toys until the 1800s. They continue to be popular today, particularly as jewellery boxes with revolving ballerinas.
Friction toys use a central wheel (the friction wheel) to make them move. It is wound up by pushing the rear wheels of the toy backwards or forwards against a flat surface. When the toy is placed on the ground the friction wheel provides momentum to the other wheels to move the toy. The Museum has various examples, dating from the 1920s to the 1970s, including tin cars, trains and animals.
Blue Bird Car
This clockwork toy car is based on a real car driven by Malcolm Campbell. Campbell competed in Grand Prix racing and set nine land speed records in the 1920s and 1930s.
Slinky
The Slinky was invented in 1943 by naval engineer Richard James. He was experimenting with tension springs for use on board ships when one of these metal coils fell to the floor and he was fascinated by its walking movement.
