Erector Set Freestyle

Eli Whitney Museum

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Veteran's Day 11.11.15

Erector Set Freestyle

Thumbnail of Erector Set Freestyle project

Vacation Program

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2015
  • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Designed for ages 8 to 12
  • By Andrew Sargent, Site Historian & Lead Educator

A.C. Gilbert introduced the Erector Set just over 100 years ago. Fifty years ago, the classic steel construction set's popularity was in decline. Recent research has uncovered a lively experiment meant to expand interest in the years of Erector's decline. Students at Cooper Union, a prominent art school in New York, were encouraged to make art of Erector girders, nuts, bolts, wheels and axles. Their wild, beautiful constructions must have shocked Erector traditionalists.

On Veteran's Day, we will repeat the Cooper Union's experiment. Learn the basics of Erector construction. Decode drawings, identify and assemble parts. Then choose from a treasury of parts to create your own free style sculpture. The authentic Gilbert parts that you will use will be yours to take home.


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