In the 1920s and 1930s, they took children's rooms by storm: the Stabilbaukasten. But what exactly does this term mean?

Stabil-Baukasten was the brand name for a metal construction kit made by the former Berlin company Walther & Co. These metal construction kits were so common in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s that the name "Stabilbaukasten" became a generic name for all metal construction kits in Germany. These sets of metal plates, screws and nuts allowed children to build their own constructions - from simple buildings to complex machines.

However, the history of metal construction kits goes back further. As early as the late 19th century, companies such as Märklin and Meccano in Germany and England began producing such kits. However, it was not until the advent of the Stabil construction kits in the 1920s that they experienced their breakthrough.

The idea of ​​offering children metal building blocks had several advantages. Firstly, the metal parts were more robust than the wooden blocks that had previously been used, which made it possible to build more stable and complex structures. Secondly, they promoted the children's technical understanding and creativity, as they had to use different building techniques when assembling them.

During the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the Stabilbau sets experienced a real boom. They became popular not only in Germany, but also in other European countries and even in the USA. Manufacturers constantly expanded their product range by offering new components and instructions for increasingly complex models.

However, the outbreak of the Second World War brought an end to the heyday of the Stabil construction kits. Production was largely converted to war needs, and many toy manufacturers had to stop production altogether. After the end of the war, however, the Stabil construction kits made a comeback, and new companies entered the market.

Today, more than a century after their invention, the "Stable Construction Kits" are still popular. They have evolved over time and are now often equipped with electronic components such as app control. But their basic principle of introducing children to technology and construction in a playful way has remained unchanged.

The history of the Stabil construction kits is therefore not only the history of a toy, but also the history of innovation, creativity and the desire to encourage young minds – a story that continues to this day.