Chapter 1 Building Blocks Lincoln Logs are wooden building blocks for kids They were first released in 1924 Nearly 100 years later Lincoln Logs are still popular toys They were invented by American architect and toy designer John Lloyd Wright John was the son of Frank Lloyd Wright a famous architect Frank had a major influence on his son’s life and career This influence began in the earliest years of John’s life Born on December 12 1892 John grew up in Oak Park Illinois He lived with his parents and five siblings in a house that his father designed and built The house included a large playroom full of building blocks fun fact One of the most famous buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is The Guggenheim Museum It is located in New York City and structured around a spiraling concrete ramp 4
The Illinois home John Lloyd Wright grew up in is now open to the public for tours John’s mother Catherine took charge of her children’s early education Both she and Frank encouraged their kids to play with building blocks as part of this education The couple believed that building helped kids learn how to think and create Through building John learned about shape and form This led him to a career in architecture just like his father In time John’s passion for building would also make him a famous toy trailblazer 5
Chapter 2 Architect in Training Wright was an architect for much of his life But in college he wasn’t interested in architecture In fact Wright didn’t know what type of career he wanted to pursue As a student at the University of Wisconsin he was uninterested in all of his classes So Wright left college and moved to the West Coast Eventually Wright settled in San Diego California There he worked odd jobs He 6 San Diego in 1910 around the time Wright moved to the city
Wright drew plans for bungalows while at the Pacific Building Company He also worked under Harrison Albright a famous architect working for the company at the time also began to think of his father Wright remembered the fame and social lifestyle his father had enjoyed as an architect Wright wanted that same lifestyle So he applied to work as a draftsman for the Pacific Building Company in San Diego He was hired to sketch and draw plans for houses that would be built Soon he was promoted to chief designer Next Wright applied to work at an architecture firm At first he mainly ran errands for the firm’s owner But in 1912 Wright was assigned to design and build a small home Inspired by one of his father’s earlier works Wright completed the task His next assignment was to design a hotel With no formal architecture education Wright was working as an architect 7
