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In lugnet.mediawatch, Christopher Tracey writes:
> Erik Olson wrote:
> > In lugnet.mediawatch, Christopher Tracey writes:
> > > http://www.binginit.com/loudpaper/article.php?id=33
> > http://www.licm.org/exPlan.f/bsPlan.html
> Interesting. Are there other things in existance that match LEGO blocks
> (or these supposed precursers)?
Do you mean other building toys? There is a huge compendium of construction
toys of the past at (4) and it's not even covering stuff like Meccano which
are not "architectural."
The theory of building blocks has two broad branches. One is that they
contain inherent mathematical concepts (and teach them). The other is that
the child uses them to make an image of the world as they understand it.
(Obviously these theories divide a fine whole into its aspects and
emphasizing the one to the exclusion of any other is folly.)
The prehistory of the building block becomes documented with Caroline Pratt
who in 1901 began making a set of wooden blocks for use in her small
schoolroom. As told much later in her life:
Caroline Pratt:
"I couldn't have asked for a more appropriate demonstration of my belief in
the serious value of children's play. Michael was so deeply absorbed...he
might have been a scientist working out an experiment in a laboratory...
With blocks to help him, he was using all his mental powers, reasoning out
relationships...and drawing conclusions. He was learning to think." (1)
Her colleague Harriet Johnson:
"The power to deal effectively with his environment accrues to a child
through the free use of constructive material. Possibilities are offered by
blocks and similar materials for expressing rhythm, pattern, design. By
means of these materials, children may review, rehearse and play out their
past experience." (2)
The blocks used by Caroline Pratt described:
[All blocks are based on the proportions 1:2:4. There are half units 1:2:2,
double unit, and quadlongs, pairs of triangles cut from half and whole
units, and more]
"It will be seen that all the other forms can be made from the unit by
multiplication or division, except the cylinders or curves. The cylinders
conform in height to the unit and posts. The curves are of similar width and
thickness. In addition to the other forms, small colored cubes one-inch
square are used.
"It is essential that the blocks be cut very accurately so that all edges
are even and that the multiples and divisions of the unit are exact, because
they are tools for the children's use, and the most desirable building
habits will be established only if the materials are stable and precise."
(3)
Clearly there is a lot of history out there to be looked up.
-Erik
Original sources:
1. Caroline Pratt, _I Learn From Children_, 1948.
2. Harriet Johnson, _Children in the Nursery School_. 1928.
3. Harriet Johnson, _The Art of Block Building_. 1933
All the above material is found in Elizabeth S. Hirsch, editor _The Block
Book_. 1974.
4. See block brands at
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4350/toys/toylist1.html
Some discussion of the types of blocks:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4350/toys/toysvari.html
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: loud paper
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| (...) Interesting. Are there other things in existance that match LEGO blocks (or these supposed precursers)? -c (23 years ago, 9-Apr-02, to lugnet.mediawatch)
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