Ezy-Bilt

Ezy-Bilt, invariably styled as EZY-BILT, was an Australian construction kit toy similar to the English Meccano, advertised as "The wonder toy for boys" and marketed in the form of kits:

  • No. 1 priced at 2s 6d. in 1931,[1] 86 parts.[2] Local manufacture of toys was given an impetus by high tariffs and primage dues.[3]

By 1941 there were five sets:

  • No. 1 of 27 pieces, however defined, for 3s 11d.
  • No. 2 of 58 pieces for 6s 11d.
  • No. 3 of 90 pieces for 12s 6d.
  • No. 4 of 128 pieces for 18s 6d.
  • No. 5 of 175 pieces for 26s 6d.

By 1948 the range of kits was extended to No. 8.[4]

It was marketed by Union Manufacturing of 299 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.[5]

G. J. Coles purchased the Ezy-Bilt business of George Temple Irving (1908–1958) of 318 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, in 1937.[6][7]

The Ezy-Bilt system bore many similarities to the better-known Meccano, and the company was sued by Meccano for copyright infringement, the case being settled out of court.[8]

Ezy-Bilt sets were manufactured by metal-parts factories in Fitzroy and Melbourne, with rubber wheels made by Barnet Glass and clockwork motors made by Rytime Robilt, another Melbourne company. Manufacture of Ezy-Bilt and other toys ceased in 1941 due to wartime restrictions.[8] Manufacture resumed in 630 Port Road, Beverley, South Australia,[9] subsequently at Southwark, South Australia,[10] by a company associated with Colton, Palmer and Preston.

Ezy-Bilt was finally liquidated in 1984 as a division of Dickson Primer Ltd.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Advertising". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 16, 877. Victoria, Australia. 20 June 1931. p. 19. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Advertising". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 17, 007. Victoria, Australia. 19 November 1931. p. 20. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Toys for All Made Here". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 2812. Victoria, Australia. 19 September 1931. p. 21. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "A Creative Genius". Sunraysia Daily. Vol. 29, no. 17. Victoria, Australia. 3 November 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Advertising". The Mail (Adelaide). Vol. 20, no. 1, 018. South Australia. 28 November 1931. p. 2 (Magazine Section). Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "New Companies". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 28, 249. Victoria, Australia. 5 March 1937. p. 6. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "G. J. Coles' Interim Dividend Keeps Investors Guessing". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 18, 658. Victoria, Australia. 4 March 1937. p. 5. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ a b c "Ezy-Bilt Toys 1931–1984". Museums Victoria. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  9. ^ Directory of South Australia. Sands & McDougall Ltd. 1962.
  10. ^ "Ezy-Bilt". State Library of South Australia. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
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