K ’NEX, the colorful plastic construction toy known for roller coasters and towers, has taken on a new identity. It has ...

Mechanical computers may not oversee today’s automated tasks, but it’s still possible to build your own using literal children’s toys. That said, one YouTuber’s ongoing DIY mechanical computer project ...

The engineering team at MetMo Cube have created an aluminium herringbone-gear fidget toy called Helico, offering the world’s first helical gear fidget ...

Disney Research’s new software could simplify the process of designing these mechanical toys. The software helps you model the complex gears before 3-D printing them.

This article was originally published with the title “ Mechanical Toys as a Means of Practical Instruction ” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 20 No. 14 (April 1869), p. 217 doi:10.1038 ...

One of the more obscure toys of the ‘80s was a line of digital watches from Japan’s Takara called the Kronoform that could transform into vehicles, creatures, and even a robot.