History of Airbrushing Model Cars
The first patent for an airbrusher, or atomizer, dates to 1876 when F.E. Stanley developed a device to spray alcohol-based lampblack to retouch photographs.
Soon after, the device was used on crafts, leather and models, including cars.
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First Models
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Model cars were introduced soon after the first full-size automobiles. In Germany, tinplate models were developed around 1900, and American companies began to market similar models around 1930. Painting of the models was limited because they were diecast and later tin-plated.
Mid-century Changes
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After 1960, production costs and competing toys made tin-plated model cars less popular, so companies began to mass-produce plastic model cars. The cars became more detailed as manufacturers designed them to closely resemble actual automobile models. The collector market boomed, and those who bought the cars wanted to paint their models to complete the authentic appearance.
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Modern Use
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Starting in the 1980s, the market grew as the price ranges and varieties of model cars increased. Manufacturing was moved to countries with less expensive labor costs, and mail order companies offered a larger selection of model cars for collectors to buy and paint.
Today, model websites and Internet videos offer full tutorials on how to paint model cars.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Model Renault image by Heidi Bolduan from Fotolia.com
