When Andy was in junior high school, he built paper models. They started small – quick cut-outs from a local toy store. Then he discovered Paper Models International, ordered their catalog, and the hobby took off. My personal favorite is the 1 : 300 model of Cologne Cathedral, whose intricate, lacy towers took thousands of snips of the scissors, more careful folds than I can count, and infinite patience and perseverance. Of course I think there were many benefits: planning ability, a sense of the ordered parts of a whole, learning how to cognize the mathematical relations of complex structures, dexterity, and an ability to stay calm when the paper wasn’t doing what it should and the glue was drying. But, perhaps more important, I think the steady, quiet, absorbing activity gave Andy time to meditate, and to think about Life. It’s not difficult for me to imagine that his work now, building mathematical models of binary star systems, continues the same interest.

Lou Dausse, who owns PMI, guided Andy towards appropriate models, and discussed pros and cons of each new project. I talked to him preparing this post; he remembers Andy well. I didn’t think to thank him for the support he gave my son during those several years: Thanks Mr. Dausse, and perhaps Andy will still tackle that model of l’Institut de France.

Two caveats (the first of which is a thinly disguised sermon):

1. Most of the models in the PMI catalog are for adults, and some of them are prodigiously difficult, so check the skill level suggested. Oh yeah? Sez who? It’s important to start with doable models. But tackling a huge project, an impossible project, an adults-only project (even with a bit of adult help) – that’s great stuff for a child. And if it’s a little choppy here and there, and the final product doesn’t look exactly like RMS Titanic, just remember it didn’t float all that well either.

2. Paper Models International has such a variety of models that only the hardcopy catalog is complete, and their web site is a bit out of date, so if you find paper modeling intriguing, I’d suggest you order a copy of the catalog from

Paper Models International
9910 SW Bonnie Brae Drive
Beaverton
Oregon, 97008-6045

or by calling
503-646-4289

Mr Dausse hopes to have a current catalog online soon. Their home page will link to it when it’s available.

You can look at some of their products at this link, but I think the catalog is snazzier.