They’re considered playthings, but they’ve launched the careers of generations of engineers. The Erector set and its English cousin, Meccano, are the ultimate assembly toys. They allow users to design and build a wide variety of machines, structures and vehicles. Many engineers trace their mechanical roots to the day when they first set eyes on an Erector or Meccano set.

The Model T is the car that’s credited with "putting the world on wheels.” Here’s a brief look at 10 ways the iconic vehicle influenced business and social conditions.

There were 45 operations involved in producing a Model T chassis on the first moving assembly line, which debuted at Ford’s Highland Park, MI, plant in early 1914.

The "car the put America on wheels" was unveiled 100 years ago. The building where the Model T was developed and assembled a century ago still stands.

A timeline of key engineering and manufacturing milestones from GM's first century.

GM has always loved to put on a good show.

To celebrate ASSEMBLY magazine's golden anniversary, here's a year-by-year look at how things have changed, evolved and stayed the same over the last 50 years. The timeline focuses on engineering achievements, business trends and manufacturing milestones.

During the last 50 years, ASSEMBLY magazine has witnessed numerous events, trends and issues that have dramatically changed the face of American manufacturing. To celebrate ASSEMBLY's golden anniversary, we have identified 10 mega trends that, for better or worse, have shaped today's manufacturing landscape and will continue to shape the future.