The chainsaw is one of the most iconic toys in history. From its inception, it has been a staple for children’s play and an example of what can be accomplished with a simple design that has few moving parts. The chainsaw was invented by James L. Kirkwood Jr., who filed for a patent on December 18, 1897. In his original patent application, he described the toy as “a device for cutting wood” and stated that it would “be especially useful in connection with sawmill operations.”