It was actually way back in the times of Ancient Egypt, around 3200 B.C., when the first model ships were being built. The purpose at that time was to simply build and check design. During this time was when sails were in their earliest form. It wasn't for another 500 years that new designs began sprouting up in other parts of the world, such as Greece and Scandinavia.

Model ships containing sails, stern rudders, and masts became more and more developed over time, leading into the production of massive Viking ships and Clipper ships setting out to sea during the period of 1300 A.D. to 1450 A.D. Without the blueprint, if you will, of the smaller model ships, larger ships may have had a lot of trial and error turn up with disastrous results. At the time, these ships were all still being built out of wood that would hopefully hold up to the beatings of ocean waves and the salt water itself. It wasn't until around the 1800's that steel replaced wood as a main component in ship building.

Thanks to the amazing minds of early these early inventors, boats could be tested in tanks before ever setting out onto possibly stormy seas. Builders could watch and see how the design of their hulls and sails would hold up to crashing waves and high winds that they themselves created. This way, there was a greater chance of the success of their full scale models. They had opportunity to see their craft at work without placing anyone in harms way. They could see the development of rudders to paddle boats to boats powered by the great force of steam; undoubtedly watching history unfold right before their eyes.

Today, boat builders rely on a combination of computer programs as well as small scale models to construct their full size sailing ships and ocean liners. With modern technology, the craft of model boat building may not be as much of a necessity as it once was, but it certainly is still an art! And one that is amazingly popular. Museums erect exhibits for boat lovers of all ages to come and view the spectacle that is model boats in their greatest form. Fathers and sons spend Sunday afternoons locked away in the garage seeing what they can produce with a model boat kit purchased at the local hobby store.

Although they played an integral part throughout history, model boats are certainly not a thing of the past!