Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. A.C. Gilbert, born and raised in Salem, invented the Erector Set. Here he is surrounded by examples of the construction toy. A.C.

It's the Mount Everest of boys' Christmas presents. The top toy, bar-none, on little Frankie Sargent's wish list. The be-all, the end-all, the Holy Grail of .... well, let's just say it's the Climax ...

A.C. Gilbert is a legend in these parts, born and raised in Salem, where he developed a passion for competition and innovation and launched his first business enterprise. He is most famous for winning ...