Alfred Carlton Gilbert

American inventor and athlete (1884–1961) Alfred Carlton GilbertAC Gilbert as a young athlete at Pacific University in 1902Personal informationBorn(1884-02-15)February 15, 1884Salem, Oregon, U.S.DiedJanuary 24, 1961(1961-01-24) (aged 76)Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Medal record Men's athletics Representing the United States 1908 London Pole vault Alfred Carlton Gilbert (February 15, 1884 – January 24, 1961) was an American inventor, athlete, magician, toy maker and businessman. As the founder of A. C. Gilbert Company, Gilbert was known for inventing the Erector Set and American Flyer Trains. Early life and education Born in Salem, Oregon, Gilbert was educated at the Tualatin Academy and attended Pacific University in nearby Forest Grove, Oregon, where he was a member of the Gamma Sigma Fraternity. He left Pacific after 1902 and transferred to Yale University, financing his education by working as a magician, and earning a degree in medicine. His thesis had the title The Genito-Urinary Phenomena of Athletes. An accomplished athlete, he broke the world record for consecutive chin-ups (39) in 1900 and the distance record for the running long dive in 1902. He invented the pole vault