Alfred Carlton Gilbert was an American inventor, athlete, magician, toy maker and businessman. As the founder of A. C. Gilbert Company, Gilbert was known for inventing the Erector Set and American Flyer Trains. Alfred Gilbert (United States) set the men's pole vault world record of 3.855 m in Philadelphia on June 6, 1908. It stood 6 days, until Alfred Gilbert's 3.86 m on June 12, 1908. Wiki link