top of page
graphic elements4-08.png

Erector Set (its trademark is styled as “ERECTOR”) 

is a brand of a toy construction set. The set

consists of a collection of small metal beams with 

regular holes for nuts, bolts, screws, mechanical 

parts such as pulleys, gears, and small electric 

motors. It was the first-ever American construction

toy equipped with moving parts and motors, which

made it more realistic and had a number of technical

advantages over the other similar construction

toys at that time. 

This Is

ERECTOR

The brain behind the Erector Set was Alfred Carlton Gilbert (A.C. Gilbert), a toy manufacturer and Olympic gold medalist. The inspiration behind the Erector

Set came to Gilbert whilst commuting from New Haven, Connecticut to New York City. Based on his observation of the steel work along the railroad,

he had the idea of providing children materials to build whatever they want to play with. 

Erector Set was the first-ever American

construction toy equipped with moving parts and motors.

graphic elements5-09.png

Timeline

1913

A.C. Gilbert markets his

first construction set under

the name “ERECTOR”. It

was the first-ever American

(construction) toy equipped

with moving parts and motors.

first erector set.jpeg

1916

The company was

reorganized and changed

its name from Mysto

Manufacturing Company

to the A.C. Gilbert Company.

ac gilbert company.jpg

1920

The A.C. Gilbert Company established its radio kits.

The radio station, WCJ in

New Haven, included a 

sports review program,

which was the first radio

sports program in the U.S.

1917

The A.C. Gilbert Company opened the world’s largest

toy factory at Erector Square

in New Haven.

1942

The A.C. Gilbert Company switched from toy production

to military production. During

the war, the Erector Set was used to design and test a portable bridge.

WarDefense-610x477.jpg

1961

A.C. Gilbert died. At his

death, he held 150 patents for his inventions. He was

praised as “The Man Who Saved Christmas.”

acg-02.jpg

1962

With sales declining, the

Gilbert family sold the A.C. Gilbert Company to the 

Wrather Corporation and

were no longer involved in

the company.

1967

The A.C. Gilbert Company declared bankruptcy. Gabriel Industries bought the assets.

1978

Gabriel Industries was taken

over by Columbia Broadcasting Corporation (CBS).

1984

CBS sold the Ideal Company and ERECTOR to View-Master.

2017

ERECTOR by MECCANO launched new STEAM-

focused designs.

2000

MECCANO bought the

ERECTOR brand and unified its presence on all continents.

The two brands are sold under the MECCANO brand name,

with the Erector Set being marketed as “ERECTOR by MECCANO.”

Screen Shot 2019-09-27 at 2.16.09 PM.jpg

Logo Evolution

2019

Re-branding ERECTOR with its new mission

and approach

As we move towards our new brand identity, it’s necessary for us to review the history of ERECTOR’s past looks. The ERECTOR logo was first designed

in 1913 when the first Erector Set was introduced.

The logo had four phases of changes. In the first

three phases, the logo kept using a wordmark but

in different typefaces and making a connection between letters “R” and “T”. The connection

between the two letters reflected the shape of a “girder”, which was behind the original invention

story of ERECTOR. The connection also represented the idea of building, which has always been the

core of ERECTOR. The latest logo still keeps the

idea of building and adds the feeling of science and engineering, with a more “technological” and “futuristic” feeling to it. 

1913–1952

The first logo of Erector Sets. The wordmark 

was written in a display typeface, which gave it 

a playful feeling. 

erlogo.jpg

1953–1956

In this period, the display wordmark was changed

into a slab serif typeface. And a drop shadow was added to give a three-dimensional feeling. 

Screen Shot 2019-11-02 at 8.35.40 PM.png

1957–1966

In another modification, ERECTOR changed its 

logo again. The wordmark was written in a 

bolder sans serif typeface, which looked more 

solid and stronger. 

logo03.jpg

2000–Present

After erector was bought by MECCANO, the logo

had a new look. The wordmark was written in a

more geometric sans serif typeface. It also conveys

the feeling of engineering. 

logo03.jpg
graphic elements7-11.png

Our New Logo

Book03-Visual Standard Guide.jpg
Book03-Visual Standard Guide.jpg

ERECTOR’s new logo contains two components: 

the symbol and the wordmark. The symbol represents the idea of collaborative building, and also its 3d treatment conveys the idea of innovation and future. Moreover, we combined the initial letter “E” with stacked building bricks by utilizing the negative space. 

Our new logo was

inspired by the idea

of building, which

has always been the

core of our brand.

C
B
P
B
L
L

Experiences [EX]

EX01

EX02

ERECTOR Technology & 

Engineering Museum

ERECTOR Gallery

L
B
C
L
C
C

Co-branding [CO]

CO01

CO02

ERECTOR X NASA Space

Exploring Program:

Immersing in The Universe 

ERECTOR X AIA

Urban Design Program:

Future Builders

L
C
S
B
C
S
C
C
B
L

Events [EV]

EV01

EV02

EV03

EV04

ERECTOR Build

Together Workshop

ERECTOR Talk

ERECTOR Summer Camp

ERECTOR Night

C
C

ERECTOR Innovation Fund

ERECTOR Prototyping

Design Space

ERECTOR.ORG

ERECTOR Material Store

S01

S02

S03

S04

Services [S]

S
P
B
S
B
C
B
C
C
C

ERECTOR Stage 

for Innovation

full chart.png

The new ERECTOR will move beyond a toy manufacturing company towards a new era that reinforces its new mission of inspiring people to

apply their ingenuity through collaborative building.

After developing a new identity for the new ERECTOR, it is important for us to bring our brand into real life and plan how it will expand in the future.

We created a chart called “ERECTOR Stage for 

Innovation” which shows the future extensions of the new ERECTOR. We identified 20 ideas from 3 different perspectives: learning, building and collaborating. The new ERECTOR will enlarge its impact by supporting personal development, promoting community building and creating social impact.

chart7.png

Products [P]

P01

P02

ERECTOR Connection App

ERECTOR Magazine

L
L
C
P

Environments [EN]

EN01

EN02

ERECTOR Land

ERECTOR Co-working Space

L
B
C
L
C

ERECTOR Innovation Lab

ERECTOR STEAM Educator

Training Program

ERECTOR Open Lab Day

ERECTOR Senior Tech Lab

ED01

ED02

ED03

ED04

Education [ED]

L
L
L
L
B
P
C
P
C
P
C
P
Full Chart
bottom of page