On this day, 9 January 1901, Frank Hornby filed the patent for his innovative construction toy system. Officially titled “Improvements in Toy or Educational Devices for Children and Young People,” the application marked the formal beginning of what would become Meccano. Hornby’s invention combined play with learning, encouraging the development of practical skills, problem-solving, and an early understanding of engineering principles. More than a toy, Meccano became a landmark in the history of