History of the Hawk “Weird-Ohs” Plastic Model Kits
by Bill Campbell
After reviewing some of the dangling questions voiced on the internet by people wanting to close the circle of the Weird-Ohs, I decided to write this article. I will do my best to finally resolve the Who, What and Why questions that you have articulated on your electronic cyber queries. The Weird-Ohs were produced from 1963 forward by the Hawk Model Company in Chicago, IL. Hawk is perhaps the oldest model company in the USA, dating back to 1928. My relationship with Hawk was a close one, as I was usually busy producing box artwork for them. For more information on how I met up with Hawk, please read the biography located on this website. Now I’ll head into what you really wanted to know – about the Weird-Ohs. Continue reading...
Early Plastic Model Kit Development in the USA
By Dave Fischer
Who made the first plastic model kit in the USA? One of these three companies- Varney, Hawk or Empire- was the first. A later company, O-lin, was significant in early production. We will probably never have an accurate view of the pioneer or the earliest history of the plastic model industry in the U.S. because there was no one innovation that could be described as a starting point. Ideas merged and evolved and eventually came to appear as progress. Continue reading...
Aurora Plastic Model Kits -- A Brief History
By Alan Bussie
Aurora was one of the most prolific names in American Modeling from 1952 to 1977. The line was very diverse and included military and civil aircraft, ships, tanks, missiles, figures (monster and many others), science fiction, automotive, animals, guns, totem poles, HO train items, electronic kits, “Coppersmith” sets, prehistoric scenes and more. Continue reading...
Nathan Lester & William (Bill) Morris Lester – The Origins Of Modern Injection Molding And Pyro Plastics Company
By Alan Bussie
Pyro is not the most famous of the US plastic model companies. Die-hard collectors know the name well, but even fewer are aware that Pyro’s founder, William Lester, was an entrepreneur, innovator and inventor. Furthermore, William learned molding from his father, Nathan Lester. Both of these men had a hand in inventing the modern plastic injection molding machine, which completely revolutionized American plastics manufacturing. Some details are lost to history but enough is known to create a rough portrait. Continue reading...