[jerf]

https://www.basicfun.com/lincoln-logs/

This would be something the Boomer generation grew up with, and I think maybe the previous generation too. They're still around but they've certainly faded; they used to be Lego-level popular kids toys back then. They are named after President Lincoln, but only as a marketing tactic to use some of his reputation, there's no real connection.

I would imagine even some native English speakers are learning something with this post. I haven't seen them in a while.

[drfuchs]

There’s a strong connection between President Lincoln and log cabins. He grew up in a series of log cabins, and this fact was widely known during his campaign.

[dolmen]

We have a brand in France that is a bit older (1911) that also still makes wood toys.

https://www.jeujura.fr/

[ranguna]

Yes, but why is it evil?

[Analemma_]

I think that part is a reference to a Futurama episode where a holodeck malfunction materialized several villains, including "Evil Lincoln".

[ranguna]

Ah if that's the case, then that makes more sense. Thanks!

[saghm]

I'm a late millennial, and I'd sometimes see them as a kid too. I'm not sure about more recent generations, but I think that they might have stuck around longer than you might think.

[iforgotpassword]

I saw some kids in a park a few years ago in Beijing playing with those. First time I saw them. Didn't know the name until now though. :)

[bennettnate5]

> They were named after President Lincoln, but only as a marketing tactic

> there's no real connection

Funny--I always thought it was meant to be a pun on linkin', as in you're linkin' the logs together because they have those slots that fit precisely together on the ends.

[saghm]

I think it's both that and the popular tale of Lincoln having been born in a log cabin (which for some reason I thought I had heard wasn't actually true, but from looking into it now, it seems like a lot of sources say it is, so maybe I heard wrong?)

[kelnos]

They were still pretty common when I was a kid in the early '80s. genX'ers and older millennials born in the US are likely to know about them, or perhaps even have had a set of them (I did).

[Timwi]

> This would be something the Boomer generation grew up with

... in your country I assume. I've never heard of these, but from the looks of it, they look like an American version of Playmobil or Fisher Price.