1884

• Alfred Carlton Gilbert born

1892

• Gilbert family moves to Moscow Idaho

1895

• At age 11 runs away and joins a circus. His parents retrieve him.

1900

• Gilbert family moves back to Oregon

1901

• Enters Pacific University
• World's record, 40 pull-ups on horizontal bar, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR

1902

• World's Record, Running Long Dive 15' 9"

1903

• Northwest Wrestling Championship 135 lbs.

1904

• Northwest Record Pole Vault 11' 7 3/4"
• Enters Yale University
• Intercollegiate Wrestling Championship 135 lbs.

1905

• Winner, Heaton Testimonial Award as All-Around Champion, Yale University

1908

• A. C. Gilbert wins a Gold Medal at the summer Olympiad in London
• A. C. Marries Mary Thompson in Seattle, Washington

A. C. Gilbert, Olympic Polevaulter, Police Gazzette, July 18, 1908

1909

• Graduates from Yale with an M. D. degree
• With magician friend John Petrie, founds the Mysto Manufacturing Company. Together they produce magic tricks that sell for between 25 cents and 95 dollars. Their factory is next to the Petrie house in Westville.

1911

• First child, Charlotte, is born
• Parts company with John Petrie, moves production to Foote Street in the former Kirchoff Carriage works

1912

• Gets idea for erector set while riding train between New Haven and New York where he sees the girders in the electrification towers

1913

• Introduces Erector set

1914

• Opens New York City sales office

1915

• Introduces Polar Cub Fans
• Opens Chicago sales office
• Erector wins the Gold Medal at the Panama Pacific Exposition
• Moves production facilities to new plant on Fox Street

1915

• Advisor to Yale Track and Field athletes (through 1955)

1916

• Mysto Manufacturing Company becomes the A. C. Gilbert Co.
• F. W. Gilbert, A. C.'s brother, joins company as general foreman Founder and first president of the Toy Manufacturers Association Begins Gilbert Institute of Engineering. Children are awarded "degrees" and receive other awards for proficiency and creativity in building with Erector.
• Adds Bric-Tor product line
• First successful use of enameled wire for motors
• Father dies while visiting in New Haven

1917

• First Chemistry Set produced
• Factory moved to site on Blatchely and Peck
• Appeals to Congress to allow toy manufacturing for Christmas during War
• Second child, Lucretia, is born

1919

• Buys rights to produce Anchor Blocks
• Produces crystal radio set
• Builds 125 ft. radio tower at plant and begins to broadcast
• Third child, Albert, Jr., is born

1920

• A. C. Gilbert Company Incorporated Sales go over 2 million
• Introduces "Master Hand" books and education sets, including such topics as meteorology, glass blowing, hydraulics, and surveying

1921

• Buys land in North Haven, CT, and begins building his dream home, Maraldene

1922

• A. C. Gilbert Company opens plant in Austria
• The Gilbert Circus Car travels the northeast selling all Gilbert products including radios; the car receives a message from Erector Square every day.
• 1923 Buys Structo construction toys

1924

• Erector Set is redesigned to be more compact and versatile. The "Classic" period of the Erector Set begins.
• Austria plant closes because of labor strikes
• Member, American Olympics Committee (through 1948)

1926

• Winner, Von Stephanitz World Prize for Shepherd Dogs, with Asta von Kaltenweide

1927

• Acquires Trumodel Building Set and merges it with Erector

1928

• Begins Sports Talks series on radio
• Assistant Manager at Amsterdam Olympics

1929

• Buys American rights to Meccano, the leading competitor

1930

• Paradise Game Preserve established

1931

• Introduces Kastor Kit

1932

• Produces Sunday evening radio show on NBC "Frank Buck's Bring 'Em Back Alive"
• Mountain View Hunting Lodge finished
• Chairman of the Administration Committee of the American Olympic Association

1933

• Erector sets now sold in metal boxes instead of wood

1935

• Introduces Microscope Set
• Builds cabin at White Swan Lake, British Columbia

1937

• Begins selling off lots of the Paradise Preserve for p.omes

1939

• Purchases American Flyer Trains from W. O. Coleman of Chicago Hospitalized for double pneumonia, dry pleurisy and emphysema

1941

• Dedicates the Gilbert Hall of Science in New York City

1942

• Ceases production of most products. Begins War production of flares, parachutes, electric motors for aircraft, range finders and firing devices.

1943-45

• Wins four consecutive E Awards

1944

• F. W. Gilbert leaves company

1946

• Al Jr. joins the company
• Introduces S Gauge model trains

1948

• Introduces the Whirlbeater Mixer

1949

• Company employs 2,300 workers

1950

• Relinquishes control of Paradise Park to community group to adhere to zoning restrictions

1952

• Sells Maraldene, moves to Mountain View

1953

• Company Sales of $20 million

1954

• Al, Jr., becomes president of A. C. Gilbert Company
• Publishes autobiography The Man Who Lives in Paradise

1957

• Hospitalized for heart ailment

1958

• Ends production of appliances

1961

• A. C. Gilbert dies

1962

• Family sells 51% of stock to Wrather Corp. for $4 million.
• Company is $20 million in debt. Al, Jr., resigns as president, but continues as Chairman of Board.

1963

• Consignment sales scheme creates massive overproduction and layoff of 300 workers despite highest sales ever; company has an operating loss

1964

• Al, Jr., resumes presidency, dies of brain tumor

1966

• Company bought out by other corporations, Gilbert stock taken off American Exchange

1990

• Erector reissued by Meccano