Wilson in 2012
Roy V. Wilson (5 March 1947 - 1 October 2023) was the creator of the Thomas Wooden Railway line of merchandise and a leader of Learning Curve from its establishment in 1992 until 1999.
Early life and education[]
Roy Wilson attended Purdue University in West Lafeyette, Indiana as an engineering major. Wilson later recounted his interest in mechanics, science and electrical engineering.
Wilson later attended Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, studying industrial design. At Syracuse University, his graduating thesis addressed preschool educational developmental toys.
After graduating, Wilson founded Creative International in 1967. Wilson remained largely independent, occasionally working on various long-term contracts with other companies.
Work at Learning Curve[]
In 1992, representatives from the Early Learning Centre asked Roy Wilson to develop a wooden train merchandising line for the Thomas the Tank Engine television series. That same year, Learning Curve was established in Connecticut by John W. Lee. On behalf of Learning Curve, Wilson successfully demonstrate the proposed Thomas Wooden Railway to Britt Allcroft. Within a few months, many orders were placed for these new products though Wilson was annoyed at the inexperience of some of his peers in design and engineering.
During his tenure at Learning Curve, Wilson was responsible for the design and exhibition of Thomas Wooden Railway products and also assisted in their manufacture and marketing. In addition, Wilson frequent served as a liaison to The Britt Allcroft Company and Shining Time Station. Roy Wilson also created the Lamaze Infant Learning System introduced in 1994.
In 1998, Roy Wilson left Learning Curve on sour terms due to Thomas Wooden Railway's direction and its increasing use of plastic.
Later life and death[]
In 1999, after leaving Learning Curve, Wilson invented the now-patented TRAK2BRIK system. TRAK2BRIKconsists of clips capable of attaching most wooden railway track and allows for construction bricks to be built beneath them.
Years later, Roy Wilson expressed concern over the Thomas Wooden Railway recalls of 2007. During his tenure, Wilson established and oversaw an hourly, random inspection program at Learning Curve to ensure the safety of paints. Under those 1990s audits, no lead paint was ever found.
Roy Wilson passed away on 1 October 2023 at the age of 76.
Trivia[]
- Several items carry Roy Wilson's signature
- Wilson stated his favorite items as Sodor Railway Repair and Flying Scotsman.
- By design, the Sodor China Clay Cars feature Roy Wilson's birth date, 3547 (March 5, 1947) on the red car and his eldest son's birth date, 5272 (May 2, 1972) on the green car
- Wilson drew up prototype designs in a small town of Eagle in Wyoming County, New York.