We thank our sponsors, in particular Raiffeissenkasse Partschins and Röfix.
TYPING TOYS – Children’s Typewriters and Other Tin Toys from Bygone Times
Children’s toys have existed throughout human history. Even in ancient Greece and Rome, toys were designed to help children navigate the adult world—for example, through miniature models of everyday objects or toys that supported the learning of craft skills. During the Middle Ages, toys made of wood, clay, and leather were commonly used.
With the Industrial Revolution and the resulting changes in manufacturing during the 19th century, toys became mass-produced goods and thus accessible to much broader segments of the population.
Play and Learning Through the Ages
This exhibition offers a fascinating insight into two of the most significant toy developments of the 20th century. It demonstrates how children’s toys evolved not only in their function but also in response to the social and technological changes of their respective eras. From the mechanical movements of tin toys to the educational concepts behind children’s typewriters, both categories reveal how closely play and learning have always been connected—and how creatively this relationship was expressed in the past.