# The Invention of Lincoln Logs

> A 1920 patent for a toy construction system using notched wooden logs to build miniature cabins and structures.

- **Patent:** US 1351086
- **Original title:** Toy-cabin construction
- **Owner:** Individual
- **Granted:** 1920
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 24
- **Field:** consumer_electronics

## What it does

The patent describes a system of wooden logs with notches cut into them at specific intervals. These notches allow the logs to be stacked perpendicularly to create interlocking walls for toy structures like cabins or forts. The design relies on the gravity-fed friction of the notches to keep the walls stable without needing glue or nails. It provides a modular method for children to build three-dimensional structures that look like miniature log cabins.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover building systems that use plastic bricks or studs like LEGO.
- Does not cover non-notched construction sets or blocks that rely solely on stacking without interlocking joints.
- Does not cover structural designs for full-sized, habitable buildings.

## The clever bit

The innovation was the specific placement of notches that allowed for a consistent, repeatable interlocking pattern, turning simple sticks into a versatile construction kit.

## Real-world examples

1. Lincoln Logs construction sets

## Why it matters

This patent marks the origin of Lincoln Logs, one of the most iconic toys in American history. It established a modular construction play pattern that influenced generations of educational toys focused on spatial reasoning and architecture.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does The Invention of Lincoln Logs cover?

A 1920 patent for a toy construction system using notched wooden logs to build miniature cabins and structures.

### Who owns patent US 1351086?

Individual owns this patent, granted in 1920.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 1351086 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 24 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent marks the origin of Lincoln Logs, one of the most iconic toys in American history. It established a modular construction play pattern that influenced generations of educational toys focused on spatial reasoning and architecture.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover building systems that use plastic bricks or studs like LEGO.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1351086/lincoln-logs-wright

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US1351086

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


## Related patents

Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus:

- [How A.C. Gilbert Designed Early Interlocking Toy Construction Blocks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1066809/erector-set-gilbert) — A 1913 patent by A.C. Gilbert for a system of toy building blocks designed to snap together to create structures.
- [How TinkerToy's Original Wooden Construction Blocks Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1113371/tinkertoy-pajeau) — A 1914 patent for a modular toy system using wooden sticks and circular hubs with holes to build complex three-dimensional structures.
- [How the Modern LEGO Brick Design Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3005282/lego-toy-brick) — The 1958 patent that defined the iconic LEGO brick with hollow tubes inside, allowing bricks to lock together firmly.
- [How the Slinky Toy Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2415012/slinky-toy) — The original 1947 patent for the Slinky, a helical spring toy designed to walk down stairs through the transfer of energy.
- [How Play-Doh Was Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3167440/play-doh-modeling-compound) — The original 1965 patent for the soft, non-toxic modeling compound known as Play-Doh, detailing a specific mixture of flour, water, salt, and kerosene.