3100-3101-3102 | Toy Train Hall of Fame

INTRODUCTION

EARLY 1960"s

In the early 1960's Lionel and Triang, a large European toy manufacturer, were involved in several business ventures. The one that is better known is Triang's ScalexTric slot cars and Lionel. Less well known is their Famous Inventor Series and Science Engineering Labs. Triang/Lionel produced the Famous Inventor Series printed in both English and French

1961

In 1961 Lionel and Lionel /Triang each manufactured and released a series of six replicas of famous inventions and their inventors. They are: (No. 3100) GUTTENBURG: THE PRINTING PRESS, (No. 3101) GALILEO: THE TELESCOPE, (No. 3102) EDISON: THE ELECTRIC LIGHT, (No. 3103) HERO: THE STEAM TURBINE, (N0. 3104) MORSE: THE TELEGRAPH & (No. 3105) BELL: THE TELEPHONE.

1962

In 1962 Lionel and Lionel / Triang added to this series with the production of: (No. 3107) HOOKE: THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE, (No. 3108) CARTWRIGHT: THE POWER LOOM & (No. 3109) EDISON: THE PHONOGRAPH.

INFOMATION THAT APPLIES TO ALL FAMOUS INVENTOR SETS

Clear plastic covers

There are two types of clear plastic covers. On the left is the corner of an early (1961) Lionel cover without gusset used on the first six sets.

On the right is the corner of a late (1962) Lionel cover with gusset used on the last three sets.

This later cover with gussets is the type cover used on all nine Triang/Lionel sets.

Foil logos

Clear plastic covers

There are two type of company logos in the center of the covers.

On the left is the round gold foil logo for Lionel with red "L".

On the right is the round gold foil logo for Triang/Lionel with red "TL"

Liners

Clear plastic covers

Liners

There are two ways used to hold all the parts tightly to the liners.

Lionel used black elastic bands to hold some of the pieces to the liner, picture on left.

Triang/Lionel used only die cut cutouts to hold all the pieces, picture on right.

Triang/Lionel HOOKE No. 3107 French

Liners

Display containers

Triang/Lionel HOOKE No. 3107 French

There are two designs for the back of the display containers.

On the left is the design Lionel and Triang/Lionel used for the first six sets showing all six sets and outlining the one in the container with color.

On the right is the design Lionel and Triang/Lionel used for the last three sets showing all nine set outlining the one in the container with color.