Category:Permodelle

1913: Owen's Permodelle (box lid says "Owen's Modeling Material" [image info]

1916: Box artwork and contents [image info]

1916: Owen's Permodelle: advert in Hobbies Annual [image info]

Owen's Modelling Material (later Owen's Permodelle) was a coloured modelling wax. Adverts and references to the product are unusual, but we've seen ads and passing references published between 1913 and 1923.

The box (1916) describes it as "PERMODELLE Permanent Modelling Material, For all Artistic Modelling: IT IS SO CLEAN. A hard modelling material which softens by the heat of the hands. I becomes hard immediately and can be used over and over again."

1916 advertising text:

OWEN'S PERMODELLE

A Modelling Wax for Universal Use

Permodelle is the newest of the modelling preparations. It consists of specially prepared coloured wax which may be used over and over again if desired.

TWENTY COLOURS may be obtained, giving a wide selection.

Permodelle will not stick to the fingers, and all modelling with it is done entirely with the hands.

Permodelle Models are always hard, but can be re-softened in the hands, and re-modelled any number of times.

One point to note is that it is ABSOLUTELY CLEAN. It will not stain or mark the hands, finger nails, clothes, or carpet.

NO TOOLS REQUIRED

PERMODELLE is put up in Packets and Boxes. In 1d. Packets, 4 different colours; and Boxes 6d., 1/- and 2/6 each.

BOXES WITH MOULDS FOR

• Letter Moulding ... 3/-
• Pottery ... 3/-
• Animal ... 3/6
• Animal (large size) ... 5/-

— , -, , Owen's Permodelle, advert, , Hobbies Annual, , 1916

Scientific use:

For the making of an air-tight junction, for the plugging of tubes, and for certain other purposes, it will sometimes be found convenient to emply, instead of plasticine, a wax which sets hard on cooling and is only workable when warmed by the heat of the hand. A variety bearing the trade name "Permodelle" (Owen's) has been found suitable. Such modeling wax is also somewhat cleaner to work with than Plasticine. ...

— , Almroth Wright and Leonard Colebrook, , Technique of the Teat and Capillary Glass Tube: Being a Handbook for the Medical Research Laboratory and the Research Ward, , 1921

... modelling wax made by Messrs. Owen and sold as Permodelle,* it seemed to me that this material would be particularly suitable for purposes of reconstruction. As sold it proved reasonably satisfactory, and by altering slightly the proportions of the ingredients, I was able to produce a wax with which I have obtained results exceeding all expectations. ...

— , -, , Methods and Technique of Reconstruction, , Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, , 1923

Owen?

Tracking down the manufacturer is difficult, as the only two adverts we have are from Hobbies Weekly and Hobbies annual, neither giving an address (instead directing potential buyers to get the product at Hobbies stores). A 1916 source refers to "... A. G. Owen, Sheffield, maker of the modeling material "Permodelle, ...'", and there seems to have been a cutlery manufacturer in Sheffield called A.G. Owen (who used a sycamore tree as their trademark), who may or may not be related.