Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

MONTHLY REVIEW OF WHAT'S NEW FROM MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS ^udio-visual trade review by ROBERT E. SCHREIBER Mastic Hobby Kits for History Teaching A novel and stimulating method of teaching American history has been discovered in the elementary grades in a New York City school. A blend of visual-aid and book learning, the method utilizes the product of a company whose own history is a bit of typical Americana. When Lewis H. Glaser, president of Revell, Inc., of Venice, California, began making plastic reproductions of ancient autos in 1950, it was with the dea of recouping the fortune he had lost when wartime defense contracts lapsed. Little did he realize that he was incubating an idea for teaching history to young people the world over (see cut). As a matter of fact, Revell kits entered school because Mrs. Sydell Klansncr, a public school teacher in Manhattan, bought her ten-year-old nephew a plastic model of an American Airlines DC-7. In no time at all the youngster was talking learnedly of stabilizers, struts, canopies and fuselages. Good teacher that she was, it didn't take Mrs. Klansner long to realize that what her nephew had learned at home other children his age could learn at school— and enjoy it! When she discussed it with them, other fifth and sixth grade teachers thought so, too, and the run on toy stores for Revell plastic miniature kits began. In the fifth grade the historical subject of the moment was the War of 1812, so it was decided to use a kit of "Old Ironsides" to stimulate the pupils' interest. The reaction was FABULOUS NEW FILM CEMENT New York, N.Y. — It wos announced todoy thot a reyolutionory new type of film cement for all 16 and 3Snim film has been developed by o leading laboratory. The ability of this cement to prevent splices from pulling aport and peeling for surpasses anything previously tested. A limited amount has been released for consumer use exclusively to Florman & Bobb, movie equipment distributor, 68 West 4Sth St., New York, N.Y. Prices quoted for F&B cement: 1 oi., 40c; Vi Pt-, $l-50; pt., $2.50. Free sample of F&B ^33 sent on request. more than gratifying, Mrs. Klansner and her colleagues report. Although the children were primarily intrigued by the idea of putting together the famous American frigate, it was not long before they learned and retained information — all about her exploits, how she came to be commissioned and all the facts that fifth graders are usually taught — and usually forget. From the fact sheet that came with each H-319 kit of the U.S.S. Constitution explaining the ship's historical background to the assembling of each spar and mizzenmast, every history lesson was a delight and eagerly awaited by all the youngsters. Today primary school teachers from coast to coast are effectively using plastic hobby kits of planes, ships, coaches, western scenes and antique automobiles. The authenticity of these models seems to make them come alive — right out of textbook illustrations, as it were. Then, too, it has been found that the active participation on the part of youngsters — actually creating the models — has stimulated continu ing interest in the subjects as few other methods have. The teachers think Glaser deserves a vote of thanks for helping to make teaching so interesting, but, modest man that he is, Revell's president probably would pass the credit on to Jack Benny. It was the comedian's remarks about his ancient Maxwell automobile that gave Glaser the idea of making car miniatures and started him in the model kit business. The success of the Maxwell reproduction prompted Glaser to make models of a whole collection of early .\merican cars, including the Model-T Ford, the Stanley Steamer, the Stutz Bearcat, the Franklin and others. From there he branched out to planes, ships, firearms, modern cars and trucks and such historical re-creations as Wells Fargo stagecoaches, covered wagons, chuck wagons, ranch wagons, medicine wagons, carriages, Roman chariots, state coaches and numerous others. To date, Revell has produced literally hundreds of "miniature masterpieces," created especially for the 7-14 year old child. Islandic students learn about American methods of transportation by making Revell plastic hobby kits in class. EdScreen & AVCuide — October, 1956 369