K’Nex (trademarked as K’NEX) is a brand name of a construction toy system invented by Joel Glickman, designed and produced by K’Nex Industries of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, USA. Currently Michael Araten is the president of the organization. The name is, presumably, a phonetic variation of connects, and is pronounced the same way. The toy’s building system consists of interconnecting plastic rods and connectors, which can connect together to form all kinds of contraptions. K’Nex is a construction toy, and therefore in the same genre as Lego, Fischertechnik and Meccano. Whit K’Nex  you can make really impresiv sculptures.

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture

The concept behind K’Nex was originally conceived by Joel Glickman. While he was at a party, he started thinking of what he could do with his straw if he could connect it with other straws. He and his brother Bob Glickman discussed the idea and started the K’Nex company. The original building system kept very closely to the idea that Joel Glickman had: The K’Nex building system was simply Rods and Connectors which could be easily attached together to make different things. Other parts such as wheels and pulleys were also included to allow more flexibility in construction. The first K’Nex Box was launched in the U.S. market in 1993. Original models with moving parts would have a handcrank to make things move. But soon gears and motors allowed models to move on their own.

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture

When K’Nex went to the big toy companies, such as Hasbro, and others, their idea was turned down, but they were referred to giant construction toy producer Lego. However Lego refused to even see their new toy. K’Nex is now distributed in Europe by TOMY.

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture

kNex sculpture