Educational toy, 'Braun Lectron Grundsystem', moudles and base board, invented by Georg Franz Greger (1960s), Germany

The object consists of a series of plastic modular components containing electrical components along with a small metal base to which they can be magnetically attached. The object does not include the original instructions.

The Lectron System is a modular educational tool for teaching electronics. The system consists of a range of magnetic modules that can be freely positioned on a metal base plate to create electrical circuits. Predetermined experiments and circuits were described on instructional cards, however the modules also allowed and encouraged people to experiment and create their own unique electrical circuits.

The system was originally developed by German inventor Georg Franz Greger during the 1960s before a patent was filed in 1966. Sooner afterwards the system was licenced by the German toy and model railway manufacturer Egger-Bahn, who first presented Lectron at the 1966 Nuremberg Toy Fair. After the dissolution of Egger-Bahn the following year the licence was taken on by Braun who would market and distribute the system everywhere except for the US, where the licence went to Raytheon Education Company.

The acquisition of Lectron by Braun proved significant. During the 1960s Braun were emerging as one of the world’s most prominent manufacturers of consumer electronics. From 1955-1995, under the leadership and design direction of Dieter Rams, Braun released a series of products that not only revolutionised the consumer electronics of the era but went on to influence companies such as Brionvega, IBM, Apple and Muji decades later.

Although Dieter Rams was heavily involved in the development and success of the Braun Lectron system, he was not responsible for the systems original design, even though the design is often attributed to him.

The Lectron system was a good fit for Braun’s vision of combining new technologies with minimalist aesthetics. Erwin Braun, who ran the company with his brother Artur, personally championed the product not only for its commercial potential but for its potential to makes electronics more approachable and accessible to people of all ages.

Under the direction of Braun engineer the development of the Lectron product ranges was outsourced to the newly formed Deutsche Lectron company. While the overall design of the system remail relatively unchanged the branding and packaging was redesigned by Rams’ team in the Braun design studio.

In 1967 after declining sales, and under pressure from Braun’s majority shareholder Gillette, the Lectron line was cancelled.

The Lectron Grundsystem 8000, was the base model for the Lectron system and supported 20 prescribed experiments (although many more could be achieved through experimentation).

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