Sponsor, Brands, Specialists and Suppliers: The Companies that supported the Chapman \/Lotus Road & Racing Programme<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Meccano: Constructive Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n Introduction <\/strong><\/p>\n Lotus cars sold<\/p>\n They were bought for their:-<\/p>\n All the above were integrated within a total framework design.<\/p>\n The above list is heavily dependent on a select group of components [either bought in proprietary or in house manufacture] that delivered the desired outcomes and met strict criteria.<\/p>\n Many of these components often contributed significantly to the overall aesthetic, many are extremely functional and beautiful in their own right .They formed part of a complementary whole.<\/p>\n In this series we examine:-<\/p>\n Understanding Lotus\u2019s use of proprietary parts provides invaluable learning opportunities not just historical but right up to the present day. These lessons are not just applicable to automotive engineers\/ designers but to the wider Industrial \/Product Design professions.<\/p>\n The Skillful and creative adoption, absorption and integration of components was a powerful factor in the Chapman design methodology and contributed significantly to both competition and commercial success. It also feed his ability to mutate parts and materials to his desired ends.<\/p>\n The use of components is a fundamental skill of the Industrial Designer and the direct provision of added value.<\/p>\n The exact interpretation of sponsorship in conjunction with Lotus is difficult to establish objectively. The appearance of a sponsor\u2019s logo on a car is not necessarily evidence of financial support. Access to historical archive and contracts is sought wherever possible but with the passage of time and for various reasons these are not always available or accessible to the public.<\/p>\n This series also embraces the specialist suppliers to Lotus. We are particularly interested in those suppliers and products that have a connectivity with aviation.<\/p>\n In constructing the historic sponsor series, the A&R looks only at the logos worn in period and assumes the company involved had no objection to Lotus promoting their products. The A&R sees much to be gained by the wider promotion of sponsors but in the event that a specific organization disapproves for any reason that article will be removed.<\/p>\n Sponsorship is an instrument of mutual benefit and promotion. Subscribers might like to see A&R articles on Sponsorship and Product Placement to understand the numerical \/ financial reach provided by sponsorship with its ability to identify and project status through identification.<\/p>\n The principle continues particularly with regard to education based exhibitions [see below for details]<\/p>\n Each of these articles is devoted to a company\/ organization that is believed to have sponsored or supplied specialist items to Lotus.<\/p>\n The intention of each article is to: –<\/p>\n Subscribers might to see complementary and structured pieces to this article: –<\/p>\n Meccano Company Profile \/Abbreviated summary <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe History of Meccano<\/p>\n The Invention of MECCANO<\/p>\n MECCANO was first invented in 1898 by Frank Hornby. He began making toys for his 2 sons. Frank Hornby created for them a system of re-usable metal strips, plates, wheels, axles and gears, with nuts and bolts to connect the pieces; allowing them to build cranes like the ones that fascinated them so much loading and unloading ships at the Port of Liverpool.<\/p>\n Meccano has built a strong legacy as one of the oldest construction systems in the world when it was invented in England by Frank Hornby in 1898. In 1913, a very similar construction set was introduced in the US under the brand name Erector.\u00a0\u00a0Today, these two great brands have joined forces under one global brand name \u2013 Meccano.\u00a0\u00a0Today, after over 100 years, the original values and objective remains the same to inspire builders around the world to bring their imaginations to life. From basic building to high\u2010tech robotics programming, Meccano offers something for everyone. At Meccano, our brand vision is to build a better tomorrow by empowering and inspiring the next generation\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figure 1: Image from the net<\/p>\n In the Chapman\/Lotus era the Company was identified with mechanical engineering based building sets and existed as a very easily identified British institution.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Figure 2: Image from the net.Meccano Aeroplane, note Chapman\u2019s interest in aviation modelling<\/p>\n Lotus Connections <\/strong><\/p>\n MECCANO Sponsor Team Lotus<\/strong><\/p>\n For immediately release: 8 July 1994<\/p>\n MECCANO is pleased to announce it has joined Team Lotus, the Formula One Grand Prix team, for the 1994 World Championship.<\/p>\n MECCANO’s patronage of Team Lotus will be inaugurated at the occasion of this weekend’s Grand Prix at Silverstone.<\/p>\n There is little wonder Team Lotus and MECCANO’s tracks eventually crossed, as both teams share the same values and legacy.<\/p>\n It’s true, MECCANO drivers are somewhat younger than those you will see at Silverstone, and MECCANO engines are not that high-powered, but the spirit is the same. Throughout the years MECCANO has motivated many a budding mechanical engineer’s career.<\/p>\n In this spirit of innovation, perfection and loyal competition, MECCANO and Team Lotus – two of the UK’s most highly regarded names within their respective fields – are joining their forces for a new challenge.<\/p>\n MECCANO’s principal markets are the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, South America, Japan and South East Asia where Formula One has a strong presence and the Meccano Lotus alliance will contribute greatly to the promotion of MECCANO throughout these international markets.<\/p>\n Meccano sponsored the Lotus type 109 in 1994.<\/p>\n See our related pieces for specification for the Lotus 109 etc.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figure 3: Image from the net, cross reference with Meccano Magazine<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figure 4: Image from the net<\/p>\n Period Address for economic geography exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n See internet for details and official website details of company history.<\/p>\n Learning Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n Our learning \/educational opportunities are intended to be challenging thought provoking and requiring additional research and\/or analysis.<\/p>\n These opportunities are particularly designed for a museum\/education centre location where visitors would be able to enjoy access to all the structured resources available in conjunction with any concurrent exhibition.<\/p>\n Understanding the potential of componentry particularly proprietary items provides some of the following learning opportunities; in this instance we suggest the following might be appropriate:-<\/p>\n Specific to Meccano<\/p>\n General<\/p>\n Exhibitions, Education, Economics and Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n In the museum context the editors believe that commercial considerations are both necessary and complementary with its educational objectives.<\/p>\n For these reasons our suggested outline Business Plan includes provision for promoting products and services which share Chapman\u2019s ideals of mechanical efficiency and sustainability. In addition we propose merchandising that explain and interprets the social and cultural context of Chapman\u2019s designs in period. It\u2019s suggested there will be catalogue for on line purchasing.<\/p>\n In this instance we suggest the following exhibition titles might be appropriate:-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figure 5note the slightly science fiction iconography but this possibly intentional to engender imagination, invention etc.<\/p>\n Specific:-<\/p>\n General:-<\/p>\n Conclusion: \u201cThe whole is greater\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Lotus to the 1990\u2019s and early 21st<\/sup>. Century <\/strong><\/p>\n The editors follow Taylor\u2019s example and primarily trace Lotus development into the 1990\u2019s.<\/p>\n We do so for the following reasons:<\/p>\n Japanese contribution <\/strong><\/p>\n Meccano sponsored Lotus in the last stages of their linkages back to Chapman.<\/p>\n Taylor records their 37 seasons in the background context of the type 109 .In the 1990\u2019s Lotus were not fully competitive and were suffering finance difficulties in the F1 programme.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to explore Honda\u2018s involvement in motorsport to the present day.<\/p>\n We suspect that the possibility many Japanese industries sponsored Lotus because of the Honda engine.They possibly did this from loyalty but also significant commercial advantage.National interests have played an important role in the history of motor sport and this ought be studied for its multi-faceted interactions.<\/p>\n Although our economic geography exercise tends to concentrate on the UK, it\u2019s important to recognise changing manufacturing patterns and locations, the causes and effects.<\/p>\n There can be little doubt about the contribution made by Meccano.<\/p>\n Although in the last year of the work\u2019s Team era,<\/em> the Meccano sponsorship was totally sympathetic and symbiotic, full of potential for both parties.<\/p>\n What we might take away from the Meccano connection is:<\/p>\n Chapman\u2019s design and manufacturing methodology rather confirms the adage that \u201cthe whole can be greater than the sum of the parts\u201d.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an interesting an important study to consider deployment of components. It contributes to aesthetics, assembly economics and sales [attractive components\/ known accepted performance and servicing ability etc.]<\/p>\n It is equally and mutually relevant and beneficial to the component manufacturer.<\/p>\n Chapman and his colleagues often took the best \/ most appropriate mass produced item and almost reinvented it in its service to design objectives. In this manner many components acquired a new status and indeed their aesthetic was enhanced surrounded by the Chapman conceptual whole.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also extremely significant how many of these components were also used in Lotus competition cars. This created a powerful dynamic and interrelationship. Many components:-<\/p>\n The relationship between Lotus and is sponsor specialist suppliers is significant and worthy of close study and has lessons for Engineering, Industrial Design and Manufacturing disciplines.<\/p>\n Along the way it\u2019s possible too to study the wider British motor component industry and how it has helped foster the specialist car manufacturers.<\/p>\n Sponsorship is a worldwide phenomenon of immense commercial impotence. Both to host and sponsor organization.<\/p>\n With the Passage of time it\u2019s likely to become more sophisticated and focused and the internet \/multimedia technology will play greater role.<\/p>\n Sponsors have existed in motorsport before Chapman but he vigorously exploited the concept with Gold Leaf c 1967\/68 and set a pattern for others to follow.<\/p>\n Sponsors of Lotus were likely to benefit financially and in terms of exposure to an extent greater than their investment. The benefits were, and remain essentially similar to present day:-<\/p>\n Appendix 1: Context and operation of sponsorship from the net:-<\/strong><\/p>\n Gain an awareness of controversies regarding sponsorship.<\/p>\n Appendix 2 F1 and related racing results <\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.snowmoose.com\/LotusCars\/TeamLotus\/TLHistory.html<\/p>\n Appendix 3: Meccano Magazine <\/strong><\/p>\n Aside from Meccano related articles, it also featured Hornby<\/a> trains, Dinky Toys<\/a> and other products of Meccano Ltd<\/a>, plus a wide variety of general interest articles, including, engineering<\/a>, aircraft, trains, modelling, camping, photography<\/a> and philately<\/a>. Commonwealth<\/a> countries always featured strongly in articles as Meccano Ltd exported its products to these countries.<\/p>\n The magazines today are an excellent source of historic information and an invaluable aid to collectors of toys from those years<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figure 6: Image from the net note the Heroic iconography linking engineering with economics and humanity<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong><\/p>\n Marks of Excellence.P.Mollerup.Phaidon Press.1997.<\/em><\/p>\n ISBN: 0714838381<\/em><\/p>\n Graces Guides<\/em><\/p>\n Internet websites and local History<\/em><\/p>\n Aircraft of the Fighting Powers.Cooper&Thetford.Vol.1.Aircraft [Technical] Publications.1940.<\/p>\n An extensive bibliography is provided in A&R article on John Players Specials\/Gold Leaf<\/p>\n Industrial Design A-Z.C&P Fiell.Taschen.<\/p>\n ISBN: 3822863106<\/p>\n Lotus Book.Taylor.Coterie.1998.<\/p>\n ISBN: 1902351002<\/p>\n Art of the Formula 1 Race Car. Mann, Codling.Motorbooks.2010<\/p>\n ISBN:<\/p>\n Lotus 24, 25, 28, 29, 33.Unique.<\/p>\n Lotus 49, 49B, 49C, 49F.Unique.<\/p>\n ISBN: 1842555185<\/p>\n International Corporate Identity.Olins.Laurence King.1995<\/p>\n ISBN: 1856690377<\/p>\n International Motor Racing 1978.Ed by B.Gill.Macdonald and Jane\u2019s.1978<\/p>\n ISBN: 035409033X<\/p>\n The International Motor Show. Offical Catalogue.1966<\/p>\n Motor Racing Directory 1955-56 [Ed by staff of \u201cMotor Racing\u201d] Pearl Cooper.<\/p>\n Motor Racing Directory.Kettlewell.<\/p>\n ISBN: 0906556007<\/p>\n Autosport A-Z Motorsport Directory. [Annual editions] Haymarket<\/p>\n The Automobile.Reyat.Chand.2013.<\/p>\n ISBN: 8121902142<\/p>\n Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology.Hillier & Pittuck.Hutchinson.1967.<\/p>\n Lotus 49.Wagstaff.Haynes.2014.<\/p>\n ISBN: 9780858334121<\/p>\n Lotus 72.Wagstaff.Haynes.2012.<\/p>\n ISBN.978857331274<\/p>\n Colin Chapman.Lawrence Breedon.2002.<\/p>\n ISBN.1859832784<\/p>\n Colin Chapman.Ludvigsen.Haynes.2010.<\/p>\n ISBN.9781844254132<\/p>\n Coventry Climax Racing Engine\u2019s.Hammill.Veloce.2004.<\/p>\n ISBN.1903706831<\/p>\n Lotus, Coventry Climax and Cosworth Engine\u2019s.Pitt.Unique.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sponsor, Brands, Specialists and Suppliers: The Companies that supported the Chapman \/Lotus Road & Racing Programme Meccano: Constructive Learning Introduction Lotus cars sold They were bought for their:- Performance \u2013road or track Driving pleasure Reputation and image Aesthetics Symbolism Owner identification \/personality extension etc. All the above were integrated within a total framework design. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3570,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3653"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3653"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3661,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3653\/revisions\/3661"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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\n Meccano<\/td>\n Constructive Learning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Meccano<\/td>\n Character Building<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Meccano<\/td>\n Model Engineer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Meccano<\/td>\n Building budding Brunel’s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Meccano<\/td>\n Structured Learning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Meccano<\/td>\n All cranes great and small<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Meccano<\/td>\n I beams ,Invention,Imagination,Inspiration,Innovation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Meccano<\/td>\n Building bridges to the Future<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n
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