Models

Since I spend much of my time writing, I often reflect over the words that I use. One of these reflections involved the use of the term model, which is used in several divergent contexts.

As a noun, it can be: an imitation or a replica. A synonym here could be a copy. It could also refer to a small object, usually built to scale, that represents in detail another, often larger object ; a preliminary work or construction that serves as a plan from which a final product is to be made; a work or construction used in testing or perfecting a final product; a person with a role either to display commercial products or someone posing for an artwork such as a painting or photograph; a product line, referring to its design, in the context of the manufacturer’s range or series of products, where different models are distinguishable by technology, components, underpinnings, and/or style and appearance.

As a verb, it can refer to the act of person displaying themselves. Then again, there is non-human modelling, especially creating a scaled-down version of something large, or a scaled up version of something small. It can also refer to: to form or plan according to a model; to give shape or form to; fashion; to make a miniature model of something; to fashion in clay, wax, or the like; to simulate (a process, concept, or the operation of a system), commonly with the aid of a computer; to display to other persons or to prospective customers, especially by wearing: to model dresses; to use or include as an element in a larger construct.

As an adjective, model can refer to: serving or being worth to serve as an example or model; being a small or miniature version of something. Exemplary or miniature could be useful synonyms here.

I consulted Wikimedia Commons to see what images showed up when searching with the keyword model. Of the first 100 models I found there were 6 human females, 0 human males, 11 architectural, 79 transportation related, and 4 other models presented as images. The first item, one of four in the other group, illustrates this post. It is titled: Recovery and coloring of the Animal theoretical by Paul Bert (1833-1886), found in: Leçons de zoologie, 1881. It was coloured by Wikimedia user Lamiot, and published 2012-10-13.

Sailboats

Sailing dinghy models are referred to as classes. Thus, it is with some hesitancy that I begin showing examples of models with these. Some models/ classes have very stringent criteria that have to be met, to be included. Others thrive on flexibility. I have always appreciated small sailing dinghies, especially the designs of Uffa Fox (1898 – 1972). From my perspective, his most important design was that for Avenger (1927), world famous for being the first planing hull dinghy. For its time, it was very fast.

The first time I sailed in a dinghy was with Thomas de Roos (1920 – 2005) and his son Robert (1948 – ) on a Dutch built dinghy (of an unknown class), on Okanagan Lake. The de Roos family also had a smaller boat (about 7 foot) which was a Pirat.

Some sailing dinghies have animal names: Blue Jay, Butterfly, Frog, Firefly, Fly, Flying Ant, Jacksnipe, Lark, Marlin, Moth, Otter, Pelican, Penguin, Shrimp, Sunfish, Tadpole. Of those, the one that has attracted my attention the most is Moth, for its foiling capabilities.

The first dinghy I built and owned was a Sabot, named after the Dutch wooden shoe, designed by Charles G. McGregor, and published in The Rudder magazine in 1939, with variations produced later. I had a copy of this design made available at Valley Lumber, in New Westminster. Note: I have been trying to find more information about McGregor. All I really know is that between 1906 and 1949 he published 58 designs in The Rudder magazine. From 1930 on, most of his designs were intended for plywood (read: amateur) construction.

Another dinghy that I sailed was the Enterprise, designed by Jack Holt (1912 – 1995) in 1956 for The News Chronicle, becoming the first UK sailing dinghy to be sponsored by a national newspaper. Most of its appeal could be summarized in one word: availability. During our annual stay at Blind Bay, on Shuswap Lake, I would borrow one from the boatbuilders who lived and worked there. Once again, I was particularly fascinated with it because much of it was made of plywood, a product that was suitable for amateur construction. In retrospect, the socialist Brock has been challenged by its blue sails and class name. The larger Wayfayer, designed by Ian Proctor (1918 – 2002) in 1957, is probably a better boat. Frank Dye (1928 – 2010) sailed one, Wanderer, from Scotland to Iceland and back in 1963, then to the Faero Islands and Norway and back to Scotland in 1964.

I also have one special mention: Fatty Knees, designed in 2000 by Lyle Hess (1912 – 2002). It is often regarded as the world’s most versatile dinghy. It can be sailed, rowed and towed. It is made out of fibreglass, and can be stowed aboard a small offshore cruising sailboat. For its size, it can carry a lot of people and goods when necessary, and is stable, and easy to maintain. It is made in three lengths, 7′ (2.1 m), 8′ (2.4 m) and 9′ (2.7 m).

If I should buy a sailing dinghy now, it would probably have to be a Swedish Tvåkrona = Two crowns, designed by Erik Thorsell (1949 – 2021) in 1991. It is made of fibreglass. It is suitable for use in Trondheim fjord.

Cars

My first car was a Hillman Minx. Some might find the model name perplexing, but I find it honest. The definition of Minx, that I prefer, is a girl or young woman who knows how to control other people to her advantage. Yes, I often felt controlled by the cars that have owned me! Other definitions add: flirtatious, impudent, pert, promiscuous or wanton. I prefer not to add any of these restrictions.

Sometimes size matters as in: the Morris Minor, the Morris/ Austin Mini, the Austin Maxi,

Then there are astronomy related names: Chevrolet Equinox; Ford Galaxy; Mercury Comet and Meteor; Mitsubishi Eclipse; Northstar engines found in Cadillacs; Opel (and badge engineered, Saturn) Astra; Polestar, which is a brand rather than a model, referring to the north star. Of those the comet has the most interesting history as a model name. It was originally intended to be a compact Edsel model. With the Edsel brand no longer in use, the Comet in USA was sold in 1960 and 1961 just as a Comet. The Mercury brand name was added in 1962. In Canada, the 1960 model was referred to as a Frontenac, named after Louis de Buade de Frontenac (1622 – 1698), sometime Governor General of New France.

Named after mammals: Audi Fox; Chevrolet Impala; Dodge Ram, a male sheep; Fiat Panda; Ford is the master at using mammal names: Bronco, Mustang and Pinto refer to horses, and the Puma, a cat, with their Mercury division producing a Bobcat and a Cougar; Hillman Husky; Hyundai Pony; Sunbeam Tiger; Triumph Stag; Volkswagen Rabbit. I find the juxtaposition of the VW Group Fox and Rabbit most interesting, in terms of real predator prey relationships. Even more interesting was a fake relationship in a statement from an unknown GM executive who said a Chevrolet Camaro was a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.

Then there are birds: AMC Eagle; Buick (and Hupmobile) Skylark; Ford Falcon, and the mythical Thunderbird; Humber Hawk and the Snipe; Nissan Bluebird; Plymouth Road Runner; Pontiac Sunbird as well as the Firebird, another mythical bird; Reliant Robin, a three-wheeler; Studebaker also had various Hawks and a Lark.

The Chevrolet Corvette may take its name from a small warship. However, the first model I became acquainted with, and the only one I would want to own, was a Stingray, a fish. I wrote about a Plymouth Barracuda, another fish, in an English language textbook written by Trish.

Snakes: AC Cobra; Dodge Viper.

Even insects get mentioned: Hudson Hornet; Piaggio Vespa scooter is Italian (and Latin) for wasp; Piaggio Ape = honey bee, in Italian, a three-wheeler.

Special mention: Lotus, with model names beginning with E. The Elite = Type 14 (1957 – 1963). Frank Costin (1920 – 1995) worked for DeHavilland in Britain, but designed the Elite in his spare time. More generally he advanced monocoque chassis design and applied aircraft aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use. Elan = Type 26, Drop Head Coupe & Type 36, Fixed Head Coupe (1962 – 1975) designed by Ron Hickman (1932 – 2011). He is best known for designing the Black & Decker Workmate wood-working bench. These were the only two Lotus models that interested me.

Aircraft

DeHavelland Canada, has named numerous aircraft after animals: DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-2 Beaver, DHC-3 Otter, DHC-4 Caribou, DHC-5 Buffalo. They ran out of animals after the DHC-6, Twin Otter.

Boeing has used 7×7, in aircraft model names since the 707 emerged in 1957. Before that, many of their model names began with 3, such as the Boeing 314 Clipper long-range flying boat produced from 1938 to 1941. Airbus models begin with A3, such as the A300 manufactured from 1971 to 2007.

People

Often a model refer to a person displaying something. Examples include haute couture hangers: Swedish Lisa Fonssagrives (1911 – 1992), often regarded as the first supermodel, discovered by photographer Willy Maywald (1907 – 1985) in an elevator in 1936; Jinx Falkenburg (1919 – 2003), the highest paid supermodel in the 1940s in USA; Suzy Parker (1932 – 2003), who appeared on the cover of thousands of magazines in the 1950s; Veruschka = Vera Lehndorff (1939 – ), often called the first German supermodel, notable in my universe, for her role in the film, Blow-up (1966); Twiggy = Lesley Hornby (1949 – ), known for her thin build and the androgynous appearance; Beverly Johnson (1952 – ), the first African American appearing on the cover of Vogue in the 1970s; The Body = Australian Eleanor Nancy Gow = Elle Macpherson (1964 – ); Canadian Linda Evangelista (1965 – ) notable through most of the 1980s and 1990s; Brazilian Gisele Bündchen (1980 – ) the world’s highest paid supermodel between 2003 and 2016. There are male supermodels, even if their income is only a fraction of that made by the most enterprising woman. One example is Tyson Beckford (1970 – ).

Computer names

Commodore Amiga, our first family computer, in Spanish refers to a female friend, but not a girlfriend (or bride), which is novia. Asus – whose name comes from pegasus – also offers portable computer models with Zen: Zenbook, Zenfone, Zenpad. My current laptop is an Acer Swift 3. I have decided, without proof, that it is named after a bird, members of the family Apodidae.

Inappropriate names

UNESCO’s The World Atlas of Languages is an interactive and dynamic online tool that documents different aspects and features of language status in countries and languages around the world. Their methodology indicates there are 8324 languages, spoken or signed, documented by the governments, public institutions and academic communities: Of these, about 7000 languages are still in use.

There are undoubtedly many model names that are suitable in some languages, but are inappropriate in others. The Honda Fit is one example. Throughout Europe it is referred to as a Honda Jazz, because fit is just too impolite to use in Scandinavian languages. Other model names are more humorous, such as the Hyundai Kona. In Norwegian, Kona translates as, the wife.

Because these situations arise, it is understandable that businesses will choose something meaningless for model names. My desktop computer is an Asus PN-50. I also store several generations of Acer Revo mini PCs.

After this text had been written, I decided to see how close my perception of the term model came to that of an online dictionary. Here is what one had to say, with a few minor adjustments:

model as a noun

1. a standard or example for imitation or comparison.
2. a representation, generally in miniature, to show the construction or appearance of something.
3. an image in clay, wax, or the like, to be reproduced in more durable material.
4. a person or thing that serves as a subject for an artist, sculptor, writer, etc.
5. a person whose profession is posing for artists or photographers.
6. a person employed to wear clothing or pose with a product for purposes of display and advertising.
7. a style or design of a particular product.
8. a pattern or mode of structure or formation.
9. a typical form or style.
10. a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, as in the sciences or economics, with any hypotheses required to describe the system or explain the phenomenon, often mathematically.
11. Zoology. an animal that is mimicked in form or color by another.

adjective

1. serving as an example or model, for example: a model home.
2. worthy to serve as a model; exemplary: a model student.
3. being a small or miniature version of something: a model ships.

verb (used with object)

1. to form or plan according to a model.
2. to give shape or form to; fashion.
3. to make a miniature model of.
4. to fashion in clay, wax, or the like.
5. to simulate (a process, concept, or the operation of a system), commonly with the aid of a computer.
6. to display to other persons or to prospective customers, especially by wearing: to model dresses.

verb (used without object)

1. to make models.
2. to produce designs in some plastic material.
3. to assume a typical or natural appearance, as the parts of a drawing in progress.
4. to serve or be employed as a model.

Origins: First recorded 1565–75; earlier modell, from Middle French modelle, from Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin modellus (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin mod(ulus), a unit of measurement ( module ) + -ellus -elle