Merkur
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Merkur
Established: 1920 in Police nad Metují, Czechoslovakia
Founder: Jaroslav Vancl
- In 1961, professor Otto Wichterle constructed the first apparatus for the manufacture of contact lenses using Merkur.
Merkur is a traditional Czech toy manufacturer that produces metal construction sets. Its history dates back to 1920, when Jaroslav Vancl patented his invention, a children's construction set, under the name of Inventor. In 1925 he made some improvements to the design, replacing hooks with screws and nuts, and this design remains roughly the same to this day.
The company was later renamed Merkur. During the 1930s, it released various building kits and electric models. Merkur also started to develop its first railway kit, thanks to František Jirman, the father-in-law of the company's founder. It was not long before Merkur trains became one of the most popular toys in the Czech Republic, but production had to be stopped during the Second World War due to a lack of metal.
In the early 1950s, Mr Vancl's company was nationalised. Around the year 1955, the company once again started producing trains sets. By the late 1960s, Merkur kits were being exported across the whole world. Even today, this traditional toy remains a popular choice with children and building enthusiasts.