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ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

Building Future Scientists

he year 1923 was an incredible one. The Late 1980s/Early 1990s Chemistry
Many new inventions were created Set Comeback
Tthat year. Those inventions are all Despite the bad reputation chemistry sets
reaching a major milestone in 2023. They are had from the 1960s through part of the
turning 100 years old. One of the top inven- 1980s, times were again changing. Issues
tions in the world of children’s toys in 1923 like the Chernobyl disaster and the AIDS
was the A.C. Gilbert chemistry set. Let’s take epidemic were focusing a spotlight back on
a peek at how it was invented and its influ- science, and many parents wanted their
ences on other sets, pop culture, and career children to eventually choose careers in
choices ever since. science. As a result, there was a new interest in
The Popularity of the A.C. Gilbert chemistry set production. However, there
Who Was A.C. Gilbert? Chemistry Set were two major changes. The first was that
Alfred Carlton Gilbert The Porter brothers may have started the A.C. Gilbert Co. itself was now out of the
was born in Salem, Oregon chemistry set craze, but A.C. Gilbert was not picture, having declared bankruptcy in 1967
in 1884. In his early life, he about to be left in the dust. In 1923, the A.C. after management changes and poor business
was known as a star track Gilbert chemistry set hit the market. The set decisions caused declines in sales. The second
and field athlete. Pole vault- garnered the prestigious Good Housekeeping was that new chemistry set makers were
ing was one of several seal of approval at the time, despite its dubi- putting safety first. They still took inspiration
events in which he broke ous contents. For example, it included an from A.C. Gilbert, the Porters, and other early
records. However, he even- explosives experiment. Yet, boys were thrilled chemistry set producers. Yet, they made sure
tually had to choose a career by A.C. Gilbert’s chemistry sets. It soon to leave hazardous materials out of their new
path. He almost went into became the favorite. Girls, on the other hand, chemistry sets. They also incorporated safety
medicine, but instead, he were excluded from the company’s marketing measures. For example, glass components
opted to pursue a career as a magician. campaigns until the 1950s. That was when were replaced with plastic. Safety goggles were
Gilbert’s choice to go into magic eventually the company finally released a pink lab tech- also common accessories for the newest lines
led him to found Mysto Manufacturing in nician set marketed specifically for girls. By of chemistry sets.
1907. The company started out producing the 1960s, marketing campaigns changed
magic sets. Eventually, he re-branded the again to market A.C. Gilbert chemistry sets as The Future of the
company as A.C. Gilbert Co. and branched equally fun for boys and girls. Chemistry Set
off into the production of various toys. The future of the
In 1913, the company hit it big when it chemistry set itself is
released its now-famous erector sets for the rather uncertain. You
first time. Eventually, it also produced micro- can find numerous
scopes, robots, and other toys with a primary science experiment
focus on encouraging children to love science sets available for
and invention. purchase online, but
most are nothing like
The Introduction of the American the sets produced
Chemistry Set by Gilbert and his
Many early competitors a century
chemistry sets ago. Many of them
were English, do not even contain
and they were chemicals. There is also modern technology to
not toys. They More Chemistry Sets Hit the Market, consider. In an age when people can readily
were produced Along With More Concerns share information in seconds online and
for students At that time, the success of Porters and ingredients are easy to purchase for specific
and scientists. A.C. Gilbert inspired other companies to start experiments, many people are shying away
These often producing chemistry sets. It seemed like they from buying large chemistry sets for their kids.
incorporated were toys that would endure forever as Yet, there are still some families with members
chemicals favorites. In fact, they inspired many children who get thrills from performing home science
imported from to become scientists. However, they were not experiments, so only time will tell if some
Germany. The without their faults. Many sets contained form of the chemistry set will endure for
start of World dangerous items, such as blowtorches and future generations of children.
War I put a poisonous chemicals. Parents soon started to
stop to that supply chain, but not before some take notice, and sales declined from the 1960s The Enduring Legacy of A.C. Gilbert
Americans began to take notice. The Porter through the next few decades. Regardless of the uncertain future of the
Brothers of Hagerstown, Maryland ran a chemistry set, the enduring legacy of A.C.
chemical company. They took inspiration Gilbert himself is indisputable. From his
from European chemistry sets and A.C. erector sets to his microscopes and early
Gilbert’s already popular erector sets. Using robots, he has left an enduring mark on the
those influences, they created the first toy-making industry and American history, in
American toy chemistry sets. general. Proceed with caution.

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