Plasticine

Plasticine was invented in England over one hundred years ago, by art teacher William Harbutt. He had been searching for an easy to use modeling material for his students and the final product was the result of many experiments. Not only did the adult artists fall in love with "the clay that never dries out", so did William's six children. They filled the house with Plasticine castles, model boats, battle scenes and fountains.  William first thought of his invention as a teaching aid, but when he saw the delight it brought his family he decided to package it for sale, so other children could enjoy it. The whole family helped come up with the name Plasticine.

Since then, millions of pounds of Plasticine have been shaped by artists, architects, engineers and children into everything from military maps in both World Wars to models for the first space suit, from aircraft design to dental models and dinosaurs.