Why are Lincoln Logs trending on X? Viral post sparks nostalgic reactions online

Recently, the phrase “Lincoln Logs” surprised many after it randomly started trending on X (formerly Twitter).

The micro-blogging platform saw a sudden rise in the use of the phrase after a user (@lippyent) posted a random picture of the popular children’s construction toy. The user also wrote,

“What the Heck are they? Hmm 🤔?¿”

Miniature-sized wooden logs are a part of kid’s toys, invented by John Lloyd Wright, the son of the revolutionary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, in the 1910s. After their invention and subsequent marketing in the US market, the lightweight miniature logs became a favorite toy of many.

As soon as @lippyent posted the picture of wooden logs, many US-based users started naming the toy. A section even shared their nostalgia for playing with the logs once in their lives. A user shared how they bought the toy set for their grandchildren,

“I bought my grandkids some Lincoln Logs when they were born. We have spent hours creating with them.”

Read on to learn how many others reacted to the viral post and shared nostalgia.

---

The viral “Lincoln Logs” bring back nostalgia for many X users

The wooden log sets invented by John Lloyd Wright are among the favorite toys in the United States. Thus, as soon as a post featuring them went viral, netizens quickly shared their memories with them.

“Lincoln Logs. Played with them for hours on end. Built towers, houses, forts and so on. Can you imagine the profit margin on that for the toy company?,” a user shared their childhood experience.

“Lincoln Logs. In fact they're the shortest logs that have two notches. They're the second kind of building set I had, after Tinker Toys,” another user claimed while sharing some trivia.

“That was the one of two toys I had at my Grandmas to play with when we visited. The other was a box of painted wooden blocks so I could build a log cabin with a block garage. 😎 😎,” someone recounted.

“The most awesome kids toy ever,” another one declared.

A user wrote,

“Lincon Logs haha just got some for my nephew get him – The erector set next haha.”

Another user claimed,

“Lincoln Logs! Still have my set from over 40 years ago.”

Someone added,

“Well, first of all, they are Lincoln logs from my childhood. But second of all... Am I THAT old?”

John Lloyd Wright's creation is often regarded as “America’s National Toy.” Owing to its massive popularity in the 20th century, the toy set was also among the original inductees (1998-1999) of the National Toy Hall of Fame.

The building log set was invented in 1916 when John Lloyd Wright was working with his father on the design of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. He used the hotel’s blueprint to invent the miniature interlocking wooden log set that children could use to build structures, forts, and more. The shockproof design was another highlight, which John patented later in the US.

Following their invention in the early 20th century, building logs became popular in the United States for many upcoming decades. However, in June 2024, Basic Fun Inc., the current toy maker behind the Lincoln Logs, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Months later, the toy company emerged from bankruptcy in November 2024.

Here’s what Jay Foreman, founder and CEO of Basic Fun, was quoted saying after the positive development,

“I am incredibly appreciative of the tremendous efforts made by our team to get us to where we are today. I also sincerely thank our customers, licensors, suppliers and partners in the 60+ countries where we operate for their unwavering support, which was instrumental in achieving today’s positive and successful outcome.”

After years of being produced in China, Toymaker K'Nex, which Basic Fun later acquired, brought the manufacturing of the wooden toy sets back to the US in 2014. According to a report, the miniature logs’ production was being handled at a Pride Manufacturing facility in Burnham, Maine. However, whether the manufacturing is currently based in the US or China is unclear.