The first kindergarten in the united states started in watertown, wisconsin in 18 56. The educator elizabeth peabody was inspired by this kindergarten and went on to found the first american english language kindergarten in boston in 18 60. In some ways, all modern toy blocks were influenced by frobel. But i think also blocks are constant across a variety of educational systems because there's so much in them that they can teach.
In the late 1700s, a young man named Friedrich Froebel was on track to become an architect when a friend convinced him to pursue a path toward education instead. And in changing course, Froebel arguably ended up having more influence on the world of architecture and design than any single architect -- all because Friedrich Froebel created kindergarten.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, John, was an architect, but his most famous creation wasn’t a building. It was a toy set that kids have been playing with for over 100 years.
Inheriting Froebel's Gifts