Modern Mechanix presents this scan of a delightful Popular Science article from 1940 about Dr. M. Russell Stein, dentist and toothpick engineer. From the article:
MAKING scale models of giant engineering projects with flat wooden toothpicks and household cement serving as the structural materials, is the unusual spare-time occupation of Dr. M. Russell Stein, a New York City dentist. Ably assisted by his wife, Dr. Stein transforms boxes of toothpicks into architectural masterpieces that are accurate models of their prototypes, practically perfect in every detail…Dr. Stein usually begins his projects by laying them out on paper. Each section is designed and then made in a single flat plane, by placing the toothpicks along the lines of the drawing and then cementing them together. To speed the work, toothpicks are cemented together in advance, in lengths of two, three, and four. Small cutting pliers are the only tool used. When all the flat planes are complete, they are tied together with string and cemented in place. In addition to its entertainment value, Dr. Stein says that his hobby helps him in mastering problems in dentistry, and in his work as a lecturer on anthropology.
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