The Acrobat

The Acrobat

For this toy you will want two thin strips of wood each 6 inches long, and a third 3 inches long. Ordinary I inch laths will serve, but wood a ¼ inch square in section is better. The three pieces are nailed together to form the letter H, but the horizontal strip is fixed two-thirds of the way down; which, of course, makes a rather awkward-shaped letter. The diagram should make all this clear. Mind that you drive the nails in firmly, and remember that any joint will be wobble if held by only one nail.

Now cut out of stiff cardboard-or, better still, thin fretwood- the little fellow you see in the diagram. He has two separate arms and two separate legs, but his head and body may be in one piece. Pin his limbs together by loose joints of wire. Colour him as you think fit- red trousers, blue coat, and grotesque face will do nicely.

The next step is to get a length of catgut, or rubber and thread it through two holes made in each of the acrobat’s hand and through two holes made on either side of the H frame. Be careful to cross over the thread as shown by the diagram. Note especially, that it crosses between each thread hole. The little device finished. Our amusing friend will perform all sorts of acrobatic antics when the two lower ends of the H frame are held in the hand and gently squeeezed together.