A FAMILY-FRIENDLY exhibition exploring modelling and why models are created, is to open at Bradford Industrial Museum tomorrow.

The exhibition will look at a variety of 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 will be on display.

The exhibition showcases a wide selection of the many miniature engineering marvels held within Bradford Council’s own collection. The exhibition also celebrates 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, made to be played with providing hours of fun.

Miniature physical representations of objects have been assembled and collected as a profession and as a pastime for centuries. Today there are many model groups, clubs and societies around Britain, including several in the Bradford district.

While the free exhibition is open Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries Service will be holding weekend activity days, involving Bradford’s many model clubs and societies.

Each club or society will showcase examples of their work and also have representative explaining the history and running of their organisation.

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “The models in this exhibition have been made and used for many reasons, for work and as a hobby or for social development. They offer a fascinating insight in to the world of modelling and those who create them. The activity days with the different modelling clubs and societies offer great opportunities for people to come and get hands on and interact with the models and find out about the different clubs."