12 Toys of Christmas: 11 Logs of Lincoln

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“All Wood Pieces Just Like You Remember!”

According to the Lincoln Logs website, the product was created in 1916 by Mr. John Lloyd Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright. The cylindrical wooden building toys were marketed by the Red Square Toy Company originally, though the products are now owned by K’Nex industries.

So why Lincoln Logs? Besides the obvious fun of saying it, the name Lincoln is clearly associated with the American president, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was famously born in a one-room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky. There is also a Thomas Lincoln Log Cabin historic site in Illinois dedicated to a log cabin built by the president’s father. Ironically, the only residence Lincoln himself ever owned was in Springfield, Illinois, and it was not a log cabin.

Still, the name Lincoln seems inextricably linked to the imagery and folklore of American log cabins. Thus, the name Lincoln Logs effectively relays that workmanship and nostalgia for fans of all ages.

And as if that wasn’t reason enough to use the name Lincoln for the product, there is more: Mr. Wright’s father was originally named Frank Lincoln Wright. He changed it to Lloyd after his parents’ divorce.

Contributed by: Maghan Cook