The Jacob's Ladder or Tumbling Blocks toy apparently dates back several centuries. A series of wooden or sometimes cardboard blocks have different pictures on the front and back. The blocks are held together with ribbons which allow the picture to change from one image to another when you tilt the top block. The toy gives the illusion that all the blocks are tumbling downwards.
The first toy is of a traditional design. he second one, called The American Beauty Show, also contains two sets of paper fans that alternately open, depending which way you tilt the toy.
