I have always loved wooden toys and I know that when I have children I am going to really enjoy choosing their toys, being careful to select ones that have some kind of educational value. Although plastic toys are cheap, disposable and far easier to come by I think there is just something so beautiful, tactile and enduring about toys that are made from wood.
Combine my love of wooden toys with my affinity for great typography and design and these blocks by House Industries for Uncle Goose really do put a great big, huge smile on my face. House Industries, founded in 1993 by Andy Cruz and Rich Roat, is known throughout the World for its eclectic typeface collections, which are characterised by an obsessive attention to the smallest details, a rare mechanical ambiance and a genuine love for the subject matter.
Much to my delight, House Industries has recently teamed up with wooden toy manufacturer Uncle Goose to create a number of colourful and alphabetical collections of wooden toy blocks all made in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA from replenishable wood products that are printed with non-toxic inks.
“These new collections underline the effectiveness of our design partnership with House Industries,” says Uncle Goose owner Pete Bultman. “House challenges our production processes and makes it fun to come to the shop every day.”
And I imagine these blocks would bring hours of sustainable, practical and beautiful fun for anyone who has the good fortune to possess one of these fabulous collections. I better start saving!
