History of model making

Philosophy & history of model making, purpose, scale and technology

Model building has a long history and cultural significance. It serves not only as a hobby but also as an educational tool to understand historical events, technological developments, and architectural masterpieces.

Various museums and educational institutions use models to vividly illustrate complex topics.

From ancient times to the present

Model making has developed steadily from antiquity to the present day and encompasses far more than just railways, ships and aeroplanes. Its long history stretches from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance to the 19th and 20th centuries and continues to this day.

In ancient Egypt, models were used as burial objects, while in the Greek and Roman empires they were used for architectural and urban planning. In the Middle Age, models were essential tools for military planning and strategic thinking. During the Renaissance, models became increasingly important, especially for planning and organising expeditions.

In the 19th century, the industrial revolution brought significant changes. Models were now increasingly used in mechanical engineering and engineering science in order to develop and test new technologies.

The 20th century saw a revolution in modelling with the introduction of plastic. Plastic models enabled wider accessibility and mass production. In addition, an active community emerged, supported by clubs, competitions and trade fairs.

History of model railways

The history of model railways began in 1784 in England when engineer William Murdock built a model of a newly developed steam carriage that operated without tracks. He attempted to technically replicate the original. In the early 19th century, England was the center of railway development. These models initially served as promotional tools, including for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who is said to have received a model for his grandson from friends in England in 1829.

In Germany, railway traffic started in 1835 with a significant event: the first steam locomotive ran from Nuremberg to Fürth. Cut-out sheets and matching tin figures were created of this famous locomotive, establishing a close connection between model railways and the city of Nuremberg. The Nuremberg Toy Fair remains a highlight for hobbyists, manufacturers, and model railway enthusiasts to this day.

The first documented child to own a model railway was Prince Napoleon Eugène Louis Bonaparte in 1859 at the Château de Saint-Cloud in France. The model railway system included a station, as well as small bridges and viaducts.

The World of Model Railways & Track Gauges

In 1869, the trade of model railways began in Germany. In 1882, the first electric train was introduced, followed in 1883 by an electric model with a two-rail system.

In 1900, the company Schönner presented the first model locomotive inspired by a German prototype. Simultaneously, Märklin introduced the three-rail track, where the middle rail served for power supply. A year later, in 1901, Märklin developed a remote control for switches that could be operated both mechanically and electronically.

1935 marked a breakthrough for the mass market: Stephan Bing, founder of the company Trix, introduced the three-rail system, which allowed multiple trains to operate simultaneously on one layout. However, in 1938, he was forced to leave Germany due to the Nuremberg Race Laws and had to close the company. In England, Stephan Bing founded the Trix Twin Railway and continued production.

As early as 1891, track gauges were divided into 0, 1, 2, and 3. The 00 gauge, later known as H0, first appeared in 1922.

H0 remains the most widespread scale today, standing for Half-Null, meaning these models are half the size of those designated as 0 by Märklin.

And it gets even smaller!

After World War II, smaller companies developed railways with a track gauge of 13 mm, demonstrating the feasibility of creating even smaller scales. In 1949, the company Rokal, later known as Röwa, introduced a railway with a track gauge of 12 mm at a scale of 1:120. This scale, known as TT, gained significantly more popularity in the former East Germany (GDR) than in West Germany (FRG). Röwa remained the only manufacturer of this gauge in Germany.

Since 1952, Fleischmann has been among the leading model railway manufacturers in Germany. The introduction of their 00 gauge trains was a major success. In 1960, the Nuremberg toy company Arnold developed a model railway with an initial track gauge of 8 mm at a scale of 1:160. This led to the creation of the 9 mm gauge, and the N scale eventually unified all manufacturers in terms of electrical systems and couplings.

In 1972, Märklin took on a significant challenge by creating a track gauge of 6.5 mm, designated as Z gauge. At a scale of 1:220, it was the smallest commercially produced functional model railway. In 2008, a Japanese manufacturer attempted a track gauge of 3 mm at a scale of 1:480, but this was only marketed for Japanese multiple unit trains.

model railway at miniature world wunderland Hamburg

firefighter scene at miniatur wunderland Hamburg

In the present day, model building has achieved a remarkable variety of forms of expression. From highly detailed historical recreations to futuristic science fiction models and complex dioramas, advances in digital modeling, such as 3D printing, offer new possibilities.

In summary, model building is a fascinating and constantly evolving field that inspires the passion and creativity of people worldwide. As a dynamic hobby, it combines technical skill with artistic expression and constantly offers new challenges and opportunities.