Making Tin Can Toys by Edward Thatcher 1919

INTRODUCTION Part 6

"For the officers' wards, barracks, and recreation hut, we made tin candlesticks, flower holders, ash trays, electric light shades, tea trays, desk sets, and filing boxes. All of which were not only useful but quite ornamental, as they were attractively painted and decorated by the patients. The soldiers took great interest in the making of mechanical toys, especially war like ones, such as tanks, aeroplanes, cannon and army trucks.
“The reflectors for the foot lights of the stage in the Red Cross Recreation Hut were made of tin cans. The end men in the minstrel show were quite gay in tin can hats - what could have been more simple a tin brim with an inverted butter can for a crown, gaudily painted and beribboned!

“The princess in the Christmas play was in need of shining armor. Half circles of tin overlapping each other not only served the purpose but were glitteringly gorgeous. The Three Kings in the play were badly in l1eed of crowns; three oatmeal tins were beautifully fashioned into kingly headdresses for them.

"The Christmas tree was brilliant with hundreds of stars, diamonds, and crescents, and candle holders, which was the final contribution of our much sought and never failing friend, the tin can pile, as the hospital was evacuated soon afterwards.
“I have had entire charge of the work and have taught the other Aides the tin can work, as it was a most necessary thing for them to know. Many of these Aides were sent to other hospital workshops and introduced the work there."
MRS. CLYDE M. MYERS, R.A.