In the 1960s in Rome, Italy and in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada I used my
parents' old medical scalpels and safety razor blades, snapped in half
lengthways, with adhesive white medical tape on the "dull" edge. To get a
'point' edge I would snap a razor blade diagonally as I recall.

To simulate bullet holes on plastic models of warplanes I used straight pins
heated over a candle flame, and then used one of the above razor blades to
trim the melted plastic. I never owned a Dremel tool (mini-grinder). In
Dartmouth, NS in the mid to late 1960s it seemed that no-one else that I
knew was doing 'battle damage' on plastic models and/or battlefield
dioramas. The contest judges clearly preferred the 'factory new' look at
that time.

If it would be of help, my father made balsa airplane models in the 1930s
and I believe I could locate and scan copies of his 1930s club membership
card (St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) and a photo he took of some balsa
airplane models on display (may not be the best quality photo). I also have
a photo from a newspaper showing myself and other Royal Canadian Air Cadets
in 18 Lions Squadron, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. We were the winners in a model
airplane contest and photo shows us with models.

Our museum has an (empty) "EEZY-BILT MODEL AIRPLANE" box which was
manufactured by the Hyak Model Airplane Company, Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada. Date is uncertain, but it is old. Accession number BV985.1296.1

I know that air museums often end up with old airplane models - both balsa
and plastic. We have several in the area like that.

Please reply off list to [log in to unmask]

Colin Macgregor Stevens,
Curator,
Burnaby Village Museum,
Burnaby, British Columbia, CANADA

E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Phone:   (604) 293-6504
FAX:     (604) 293-6525
Museum web site:
http://www.burnabyparksrec.org/villagemuseum/villagemuseum.html


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Chuck Stout
> Sent: November 21, 2000 12:01
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: The old X-Acto knife
>
>
> Here's another fun question. Can anyone tell me the origin or the early
> history of the familiar X-Acto knife? (I'm working on an exhibit about
> early model airplanes, which will include contemporary tools and
> materials.) Can any senior model makers out there tell me what might have
> been used prior to the X-Acto hobby knife?
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> Chuck Stout
> Exhibits Manager
> Wings Over the Rockies Museum

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