The Life Story of Meccano (1932), Part 3

  1932:     Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - [image info]

"The Life Story of Meccano", by Frank Hornby (Part 3), transcribed from Meccano Magazine, 1932.

Part 3 - New Manuals, and New Factories

The output from my first factory was of course small at its best, but nevertheless Meccano began to attract much attention. I received gratifying letters from boys and from parents in every part of the country, and these gave me a great deal of encouragement at a time when I badly needed it. By this time I had begun to describe Meccano as "Real Engineering for Boys", and in order to make quite certain that I was justified in doing so I submitted outfits to some of the leading engineers and professors of engineering. Their replies surpassed all my expectations. Each expert expressed utmost interest and pleasure in the invention, and assured me that I working on correct engineering principles, so that any boy who enthusiastically and intelligently followed the hobby would inevitably acquire a sound knowledge of real engineering. These favourable opinions scattered to the winds my last lingering doubts and filled me with renewed energy.

I had supplied a Manual of Instructions with every Outfit from the very beginning. The first edition of this Manual was printed hurriedly and with little thought for appearance, my sole object being to have it ready in time for inclusion in the first outfits. I now began to feel that this Manual was not good enough for the purpose, and also that it was not distinctive in appearance. I therefore set to work, with the assistance of experts, to design a Manual that should be a standard type of publication that all boys would immediately recognise as coming from my firm. You will have noticed that in all our advertisements, leaflets, etc., that the word "Meccano" is printed in a specially designed type-face – the letter "C" is rather unusual in its formation, and the final "O" slopes a little. This and other little peculiarities give the word an artistic and distinctive appearance, and this special design is our exclusive property.

At the top of the cover of the Manual of Instructions there is a drawing of two boys in easy boyish attitudes working away at a Meccano model. The model itself has been changed occasionally, and the boys' clothing has been brought up to date from time to time; but otherwise the drawing has not been altered. I think you will agree that the cover of the Meccano Manual is a most artistic production, and you may be sure that no changes will ever be made in it without good reason.

The same cover is issued for every country in the world, but we make a distinction by changing the colours, using certain colours for certain countries to facilitate identification for storing and packing.

You will have noticed that in all the Meccano Manuals the instructions for building the various models are written in technical language; that is to say correct engineering terms are used in every case. When you are talking with an engineer or a mechanic you may us with confidence every word or phrase employed in the Meccano Manuals of Instructions. Your meaning will be understood perfectly, because you will be speaking the language of engineering. I have no hesitation in saying that any boy who has built a series of Meccano models from the instructions provided in our Manuals will be able to read intelligently and understand any book on engineering, or a description of any engineering feat that he may come across. I attach the greatest importance to this matter of correct technical description of models, not only because I like everything connected with Meccano to be accurate, but also because technical accuracy is of such great importance to the thoughtful boy who intends later on to take up a career in one of the many branches of engineering.

By this time it had become quite obvious that our tiny factory in Duke Street, Liverpool, was utterly inadequate for dealing with the demand for outfits. Many parts were still made by various manufacturers, but even with this assistance we could not turn out parts in sufficient quantity. We did our best, and worked long hours every day, but the resources of the little factory had reached their limit, and the output could not be increased. There was therefore nothing for it but to move into larger premises and install more machinery. I spent a good deal of time in searching for a suitable place, and ultimately I decided upon a building that previously had been used as a motor car works, in West Derby Road, Tuebrook. I well remember how impressed I was with the size of the building. It seemed to me more suitable for constructing railway locomotives than Meccano parts, and even after all our machinery and benches were installed the uncovered floor space that remained gave me a fright!

Before we moved into the new premises at West Derby Road I carefully planned a layout for the various machines and benches based upon the experience gained in the existing factory and I was now able to carry out many improvements that previously had been impossible on account of lack of space. First of all I moved in the old machinery and got it working, and then gradually I added one new machine after another. Eventually I had an equipment that, I felt sure, would not only enable me to manufacture practically the whole of the parts myself, but also to produce them in sufficient quantity to meet all possible demands in the future. Never had I made a bigger miscalculation! The popularity of Meccano increased at a rate that I had never contemplated in my wildest imaginings. Dealers who previously had ordered a few outfits, almost in fear and trembling, now began to order on a continually increasing scale and to clamour for immediate delivery. In the effort to grapple with the situation I added machine after machine until the vacant floor space that had worried me earlier on was completely covered; and still the output was not large enough.

During my occupation of this factory I improved my outfits in many important respects, for instance, I abandoned the old tin containers, and the Meccano outfits were now displayed in strong cartons with all the parts looking smart, neat and orderly in their separate compartments. Another far-reaching change was made in regard to the strips. Up until that time these had been made of tin with turned-over edges, but now I began to make them of rolled steel, heavily nickel-plated. This change, as will easily be realized, marked a great step forward in the style and quality of the outfits. I also recognized that he key with which the wheels were fastened on the rods, although satisfactory in most respects, was not sufficiently strong and rigid for use in large working models in which considerable stresses existed. I therefore introduced the more effective set screw which, as will be remembered, I had turned down earlier as being too costly for the purpose. Thus it came about that the key that I formerly manufactured by the million was superseded and gradually disappeared.

In less than two years the position in this factory became similar to that in the old one. I had not sufficient machinery to cope with the demand for parts and at the same time it was impossible to cram another machine into any part of the building. Thus another move became necessary. At first I thought of looking round for a larger building that might be vacant, but after considering the matter carefully from every point of view I decided against this step. The popularity of Meccano had already increased far beyond my expectations, and I realised that if this growth were to continue on a similar scale it would be foolish to move into a larger building that could only serve the purpose for a comparatively short time, and then have all the trouble and worry of a further change. Finally I decided that the only satisfactory method of meeting the needs of the business was to buy a plot of land and erect a factory for myself. It was essential that this land should be in a suitable position, and large enough to accommodate not only a factory adequate for present needs, but also any extensions that might become necessary in the future. Finally I purchased a piece of land at Old Swan, a district away from, but within easy reach of the centre of the city, convenient for the principal railway stations and, as far as possibly could be foreseen, large enough to provide for all future requirements

The designing and planning of the new factory was a long process demanding the most serious thought. The experience I had already gained was of the utmost value to me at this time in enabling me to decide upon the most effective and economic arrangements, and to avoid features that had proved to be unsatisfactory. Beyond this there was the health and convenience of the workers to be considered, and in this respect I determined to produce an ideal factory. As soon as the plans were completed building was commenced and pushed forward with the utmost rapidity; and presently there came into being the great Meccano Factory in Binns Road, the name of which is familiar to hundreds of thousands of boys all over the world. It covers an area of nearly 5 acres of land, with every workshop on the ground floor, glass-roofed and, to a certain extent, glass-sided. Its perfect efficiency is proved beyond doubt by the enormous output that continues steadily week in and week out, and I am confident that there are few factories in which the working conditions are so pleasant.

I take great pride in my factory, and I welcome the thousands of Meccano boys who visit it every year. They are conducted by special guides from shop to shop, every process being thoroughly explained to them; and they leave with eyes shining with excitement and enthusiasm. They have realised a long-cherished ambition – they have seen the home of Meccano!

I wish every boy could see the Meccano Factory, but unfortunately this is impossible. For the benefit of those who, on account of distance or other circumstances, are unable to pay it a visit, I propose in a later article to describe the factory as well as I can, and to explain the many and wonderful processes by which the raw material converted into the perfectly finished parts that you all know so well.

As a rule the transferring of plant and machinery from one factory to another involves an almost complete stoppage of work for a period, and great dislocation of business generally. In this case, however, the machinery was transferred from the old factory to the new one without a stoppage of even a day. Two large new gas engines were first installed, and completely new shafting and belting was set up throughout the works: Then each lathe, press or other machine was carried over separately, fixed in the position that had been prepared for it, and set to work immediately. This involved an immense amount of careful organisation, but the labour was amply repaid, for the whole removal was conducted from start to finish without a hitch

The working conditions in the new factory were almost unbelievably better than those in the previous one. For the first time I found it possible to carry out each process in the most economic manner, without being hampered by restrictions of space, or worried as to whether the floor would stand the strain! This reminds me of one very striking change. In my old building the noise of the big presses was terrific. In the new factory, however all the floors were specially prepared with concrete beds to receive presses and other heavy machines, with the result that when the workshops were in full swing there was no vibration and very little noise.

So far I had concentrated entirely on the factory, and my clerical staff still remained in the old building. I now set to work to build ample office accommodation alongside the new factory.

(To be continued)