Frank Hornby was an English inventor, businessman and politician. source
Frank Hornby was an English inventor, businessman and politician.
Frank Hornby was a visionary in toy development and manufacture, and although he had no formal engineering training. source
Frank Hornby was a visionary in toy development and manufacture, and although he had no formal engineering training.
Frank Hornby was responsible for the invention and production of three of the most popular lines of toys based on engineering principles in the 20th century: Meccano, Hornby Model Railways and Dinky Toys. source
Frank Hornby was responsible for the invention and production of three of the most popular lines of toys based on engineering principles in the 20th century: Meccano, Hornby Model Railways and Dinky Toys.
Frank Hornby also founded the British toy company Meccano Ltd in 1908, and launched a monthly publication, Meccano Magazine in 1916. source
Frank Hornby also founded the British toy company Meccano Ltd in 1908, and launched a monthly publication, Meccano Magazine in 1916.
Hornby's inventions and initiatives made him a millionaire in the 1930s, and he entered politics in 1931 when he was elected as a Conservative MP for the Everton constituency. source
Hornby's inventions and initiatives made him a millionaire in the 1930s, and he entered politics in 1931 when he was elected as a Conservative MP for the Everton constituency.
Frank Hornby's legacy has persisted long after his death with enthusiasts all over the world still building Meccano models and collecting his toys. source
Frank Hornby's legacy has persisted long after his death with enthusiasts all over the world still building Meccano models and collecting his toys.
The 150th anniversary of Frank Hornby's birth was celebrated in Liverpool and Brighton on 15 May 2013. source
The 150th anniversary of Frank Hornby's birth was celebrated in Liverpool and Brighton on 15 May 2013.
Born on 15 May 1863 at 77 Copperas Hill, Liverpool, Lancashire, Frank Hornby was the son of John Oswald Hornby, a provision merchant and his wife Martha Hornby, though this date has been questioned. source
Born on 15 May 1863 at 77 Copperas Hill, Liverpool, Lancashire, Frank Hornby was the son of John Oswald Hornby, a provision merchant and his wife Martha Hornby, though this date has been questioned.
At the age of sixteen, Frank Hornby left school and started working as a cashier in his father's business. source
At the age of sixteen, Frank Hornby left school and started working as a cashier in his father's business.
On 15 January 1887 Frank Hornby married a schoolteacher Clara Walker Godefroy, the daughter of a customs officer and they had two sons, Roland and Douglas, and a daughter, Patricia. source
On 15 January 1887 Frank Hornby married a schoolteacher Clara Walker Godefroy, the daughter of a customs officer and they had two sons, Roland and Douglas, and a daughter, Patricia.
When his father died in 1899, his father's business was closed and Frank Hornby became a bookkeeper for David Hugh Elliot who ran a meat importing business in Liverpool. source
When his father died in 1899, his father's business was closed and Frank Hornby became a bookkeeper for David Hugh Elliot who ran a meat importing business in Liverpool.
After experimenting with new ideas in his home workshop, Frank Hornby began making toys for his sons in 1899 with pieces he cut from sheet metal. source
After experimenting with new ideas in his home workshop, Frank Hornby began making toys for his sons in 1899 with pieces he cut from sheet metal.
During 1901 Frank Hornby began looking for companies to manufacture his product, but it was poorly finished and did not attract much attention. source
During 1901 Frank Hornby began looking for companies to manufacture his product, but it was poorly finished and did not attract much attention.
In September 1907, Frank Hornby registered his famous "Meccano" trade mark and used this name on all new sets. source
In September 1907, Frank Hornby registered his famous "Meccano" trade mark and used this name on all new sets.
Meccano was exported to many countries and in 1912, Frank Hornby and his son, Roland, formed Meccano (France) Ltd in Paris to manufacture Meccano. source
Meccano was exported to many countries and in 1912, Frank Hornby and his son, Roland, formed Meccano (France) Ltd in Paris to manufacture Meccano.
In addition to Meccano, Frank Hornby developed and manufactured a number of other model kits and toys. source
In addition to Meccano, Frank Hornby developed and manufactured a number of other model kits and toys.
In 1916, Frank Hornby launched a monthly publication, Meccano Magazine, which remained in circulation for over sixty years. source
In 1916, Frank Hornby launched a monthly publication, Meccano Magazine, which remained in circulation for over sixty years.
Frank Hornby died of a chronic heart condition complicated by diabetes in Maghull, near Liverpool, Lancashire,on 21 September 1936. source
Frank Hornby died of a chronic heart condition complicated by diabetes in Maghull, near Liverpool, Lancashire,on 21 September 1936.
In his homeplace of Maghull there is a local Wetherspoons pub named after Frank Hornby, The Frank Hornby. source
In his homeplace of Maghull there is a local Wetherspoons pub named after Frank Hornby, The Frank Hornby.
Frank Hornby's legacy lives on today with thousands of enthusiasts all over the world still building Meccano models, running Hornby Train sets and collecting Dinky Toys. source
Frank Hornby's legacy lives on today with thousands of enthusiasts all over the world still building Meccano models, running Hornby Train sets and collecting Dinky Toys.
