Apropos of nothing in particular (no, really, I ran across this link before my vacation and have been meaning to post it):
Edward Stratemeyer & the Stratemeyer Syndicate
Whodewhatnow? Edward Stratemeyer was an author who created the Stratemeyer Syndicate, an early book packager. The Stratemeyer Syndicate brought us the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Tom Swift, among other series.
There’s a lot to mine here. Ever hear of “Ralph of the Railroad“? And I’m kind of wanting to find some “Ted Scott” books as a Christmas present for Someone Who Isn’t Me.