Instead of lead...
I was molding plastic parts with a vacuum toy; and using a toy lathe to make rocket nozzels. My path was similar to yours. I could never get the steam engine to work - probably broke - but I got good at repairing the mechanics and circuit boards in my brother's Lionel train set. Never had a telescope but was fascinated by astronomy. My brother inspired me as far as building electronics and radio, I later joined the CB craze. I never could afford a computer, so I borrowed everybody elses; until I joined the Army - then I bought my own, because the government was too slow to modernize. After automating my office, I declared my position obsolete, and left for college after touring out. They did, in fact close those positions not long afterward.
My dad didn't really know how to be a dad, God bless him!
