Alfred Carlton was born in Salem, Oregon back in 1884. He early education was at the Tualati Academy then he was off to Pacific University at Forest Grove, Oregon. To pay for his education he worked as a magician, earning a degree in sports medicine. He was also an athlete breaking the world record for chin-ups.
In 1907, he co-founded a manufacturing company (more on that in a moment). By 1935, he had sold 30 million sets of something he invented. During his 50 year career he had accumulated more than 150 patents.
What you may not know about Alfred Carlton Gilbert is that he invented the pole vault box setting two world records in the pole vault. In 1908, during WWI the United States considered a ban on toy production, he argued successfully against it, thus the press gave him the nickname of “The man who saved Christmas.” The manufacturing company he co-founded was Mysto Manufacturing, later changing the name to C. Gilbert Company. He developed and sold magic sets, he added chemistry sets, microscope sets and other educational toys. However, he is best known for the invention of the Erector Set. Until tomorrow keep that smile on your face and a penny in your pocket
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