I have been working on this off and on for years. As I collected various hanks both this time and last, I was fascinated by these little buggers. So consumable and quite uncommon in their unused state. Different eras of meccano had their own Cord. Part #40 is the thread that weaves the history of meccano together in my opinion and yes, that was meant to be as corny and cheesy as it sounded...........What follows is what I can "string" together and serves as observations of different types, winds, colors, etc from pretty much the whole of the meccano existance right up to the present, I guess. I am thin on the really early stuff and very thin on the post 1979 meccano era as it holds little interest for me. Please consider this a "straw dog" and work to be fine tuned over time. The hanks are quite difficult to photograph and I did the best I could for now. If I ever spring for a good macro lenses, we'll see if some are retaken. My observations of color is made by my eye. I see the differences in shades but maybe not the right color name has been chosen..but be sure, if I indicate there is a difference, there is! The pictures may not back it up in some cases, but to the naked eye, there is a difference! You will just have to come and see for yourselves! I welcome any feedback, contributions of additional variations and especially ones in the very early and late stages of meccano....There are over 80 pics to follow when I get time....