In the rear gallery

Here are several construction toys that, with the exception of the Erector crane rail car, didn't require assembly. Kids could just dive in and have fun with them. The steam shovel is of particular interest because it is closely modeled after the steam shovels used to dig the Panama Canal in the second decade of the Twentieth Century. This toy could also be ridden, although it's small wheels limited its velocity.

Construction equipment has also inspired any number of children's books, which, if not exactly toys, have certainly provided hours of pleasure to their owners.

The sequence of pictures shown here records the use of some real construction equipment as a new residential building was erected next to the Museum shortly before this exhibit opened.

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