The Casting of Iron Toys

This presentation by NMIH Historian Mike Piersa will detail the process of casting toys and other products using iron. Created by skilled workers using a foundry method called sand casting, the toys became popular in the latter half of the 19th century as they used materials that were inexpensive at the time, similar to today’s plastic toys. This illustrated lecture will trace the process from furnace to finished product and will feature a small live demonstration, melting tin, to show how the foundry process uses patterns and sand molds to create goods. Included with museum admission.