Model Steamships - old fashioned toys

[ShadowHM]

In these days of rampant consumerism amongst the young, fostered by all those television ads for the latest/greatest/niftiest new thing, and, I suspect, mostly paid for by the manufacturers of batteries, I have to tell you about a new toy I found for my children.

I purchased it from Lee Valley Tools, which is mainly a vendor of woodworking tools, but also has branched out into a number of other venues (including great gardening stuff). I just had to share this one, as I know many of you have children too, and may be feeling just as jaundiced about toys for kids as I am.



The toy is described here: http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx...45481&ap=1

No batteries. Incredibly low price tag. And they work perfectly. The kids love it. Bathtub/washtub/lee of the dock races are forthcoming.

This is the description:



Model Steamboat

These steamboats were first made in the 1800s. The version we are selling dates from 1926.

The boat is powered by the world's simplest steam engine, a small diaphragm connected to two tubes. When the system is filled with water and a tiny candle is put under the diaphragm, it creates steam that expels water from one of the tubes. The steam then condenses, creating a vacuum that draws water from the other tube. Since the water is expelled more quickly than it is taken in, the result is a net propulsive force. One of the most amazing parts of the whole process is that the boat makes a "putting" noise very similar to a small motor boat.

Made from recycled tin plate, these boats are the product of a small cottage industry in India. They are educational, entertaining, inexpensive and function well. The boats are simple (even a bit crude) with just a base coat of paint and some may even have rust spots. They can be used as is or customized with a name or other decoration. Sold individually or as a set of three, each boat comes with operating instructions, a low-quality eyedropper for initial filling, 25 extra candles and instructions for making more candles as required.

[Griselda]

Thanks for the idea. Those look fun.

I bet Charis would like them, too. The checker at my local office store was named Charis. I had to resist the urge to ask her what happened to him.

[Occhidiangela]

Last I had checked, he'd gone to "Grace" land.

Occhi

PS: Yeah, it's all Greek to me. ;-)

[ShadowHM]

While I am thinking about Lee Valley Tools, I should share a couple more items of theirs I have and love.


First, shovels for kids. For years, every summer I would toss out the broken plastic beach shovel/buckets that the kids had broken and reluctantly purchase some more. After all, the reason they were broken was that they did get a lot of use. But then I found the shovels here:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.asp...45713&ap=1

Mini Shovel

This is the tool you want for on-your-knees gardening. The short handle and smaller-than-normal blade make it just right for transplanting or pot filling. It is also excellent for children since it is a real shovel, not a piece of flimsy tin. 27" overall, it has a steel blade (5 1/2" x 8") and wooden handle.



I have six now - one for each kid and a couple of spares for visitors. Sand castles have become much more elaborate. The only one that has broken was broken by me - they really were not intended to be used to pry cedar roots out of the garden.




Next item is this amazing barometer:


http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx...,104,51085





Mariner Weather Glass

Once upon a time, these were state-of-the-art barometers. They were used on ships to warn sailors of impending storms. These work just as well today in your home or garden. Just fill with colored water and hang in a shaded area. Water slowly rising in the spout forecasts a storm up to 24 hours away. Rapid rising indicates a local storm and a quick drop again means the storm has changed its course. These and other "reading" signs are included. Hand-blown glass with a brass mounting bracket. Glass measures about 9" x 3".





Not only is this right pretty to have hanging just outside your window, but it is remarkably accurate about the approach of thunderstorms. At my cottage, because it is on a peninsula, it is very nice to know that one of the 'scattered thunderstorms' forecast is actually going to hit us. Advance warning to make sure the boats are double secured to the dock is valuable, and saves unnecessary double checking.


Lastly, these magnets are incredible. I cannot be the only parent in the world that has a refridgerator festooned with paper - schedules, lists, phone numbers, messages, etc. Those weak scraps of metal and/or magnet paper that are usually sold just don't cut it. These do.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?...2363,42348

[HowGozit]

Wow,

I remember those. We could still get them when I was a kid. They tended to have a shortish life though. We lived by a harbour, and rust and sinking at a point too far to retrieve tended to be a problem. 8)

We used Birthday cake candles to run them.

Thanks for the link.. Its sorta tempting - even though postage to get them over here would be painful.

HowGozit