MODELMANIA has come to Bradford Industrial Museum in a family-friendly exhibition.

The exhibition, which opened this month looks at many models such as ones used in engineering and by apprentices, as well as children’s educational and instructional toys, salesmen’s models, and all manner of planes, trains and automobiles.

The displays showcases the many miniature engineering marvels held within Bradford Council’s own collection while celebrating some of the ingenious modellers behind their creation.

Models on display as part of the exhibition come in varying levels of detail and accuracy. Some were bought pre-made kits, others were built from scratch using raw materials. Some of the models work or function like the full-size version and have been created using the same materials.

Modelling has evolved over time to include new types of materials, techniques and technology. Early models were carved from stone or whittled out of wood and some used steam or clockwork to power them. Today, they can include complex electronics such as those found in radio-controlled models.

Some models allow engineers, architects and inventors to demonstrate and showcase designs of products, others are used to recreate long-gone buildings, sunken ships or historic battles. Some are used as educational examples or marketing tools, others are made specifically to be collected and admired, or to be played.

There will be several weekend activity days involving Bradford’s many model clubs and societies. Each one we’ll show examples of their work and have representative explaining the history and running of their organisation.

Visit bradfordmuseums.org for further information. The exhibition runs until November 10 next year.