The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-08
THE HAsK.IN LETTER
THE USE OF MODELS
By Frederic :. Haskin.

Various branches Of the govern
lment, the courts and numerous ed
icational institutions, are now max
ing use Of the model-maker's skill in
Topographic pictures which can be
readily understood by anyone. These
models and relief maps show actual
conditions, or prospective plans to
be put in operation, wnere It would
be impossible to form an accurate
idea OF such plans. or to travel great
distances to see such natural OBJ
jects.
The function Of the model maker
who turns out this class OF work Is
TO take technical data represented
by contour maps, cross-sections
plans. drawings of various kinds,
such as working drawings and con.
| structlon details, and photographs,
and to translate from the two dimen-
sions Of the map, or the written
words OF the instructions to three d.
mensions, heinght, length and
breadth. thus giving miniature
presentation Of the thing itself that
can be easily understood, and which
does not require q technical training
TO read.
Perhaps the most important work
that has been required of the model
maker is that in connection with
RECLAMATION projects. He is given
data from the Geological Survey,
consisting Of contour maps and notes.
He interprets these plans and repro
duces the mountain ranges in which
the waters collect, their distribution
over the fiat valleys. and the foun-
Idations Of the little towns and settle
,ments that occur at these waterways.
He can even 60 so far as to make his
model operative. by which water is
made to run from its source and be
distributed upon the land. He shows
how the dams will be constructed
to impound the water. and the spill
ways to divert 1t, and how. in fact,
the whole water system can be reg
ulated to the uses OF man.
In this class OF models comes the
dissected model where special fea-
lures are required to be brought out.
The dissected model may be taken
apart and each part explained in re-
latfon to the whole. BY this same
means operative machinery may be
installed, and the project put in i'm
mediate use for demonstration pur.
poses.
The work presents some interest
ing phases, which, though one may
not aspire to be a model maker, can
be quickly understood. When the
model is from cast. the inverted
mold turns the landscape topsy tur-I
;vey. rivers becoming ridges of hills,
mountains becoming lakes or depres-
sions. But the model maker works
on serenely righting his positive Sc
cure1y on its base with all parts in
tact. Direct modelling in plaster Of
paris is comparatively rapid work. re.
during bold strokes. Topographic
sculpturing in wax, on the other
hand, is a very slow process; often
not Snore than space 6x12 inches
can be covered in one day. requiring
sixty days for modelling topograph.
lie map measuring 5X6 feet in the wax
alone. aside from the process Of
molding, casting and painting.
One of the earliest uses Of models
was in the court room. In the trial
iof cases involving questions of meas
luremert. practicability. operative
mess and infringement, the model
lplays an important part.
These models are frequently ex-
planned by expert witnesses or the
man who made them In technical
but 1t is the idea visual
feed that makes them practical to
judge and jury alike, for few people
lean carry in nina mass of detail,
unless extremely familiar with the
subject, and the very fact Of being
able to see the wheels go around
will clear UP point about which a
long winded argument might be made
in vain. leaving the nearer no nearer
in possession Of the theory of fact
than before he heard It.
A model maker WAS recently called
upon to produce bottle washing
machine, which washed hundred
bottles per minute. He was required
to prove by this model that the ma
chine was superior in every point
ito another machine which washed
half dozen bottles per minute,
Another unique invention which
found its way to the court room was
q device for training prospective Ty
Cobbs for the diamond. 1t consists
of metal weight something in APP
pearance like small umbrella stand.
THE nervous batter puts his bat into
the device. gives it-a twist so that II
fastens itself securely to the bat like
a leech. and swings the bat with the
weight attached. for practice. He
then is allowed to release the bat,
and is given a fast ball at which he