Anatomic model puzzles of surpassing loveliness
I just stumbled on Kikkerland's "Anatomic 3-D Puzzles" in a shop and was absolutely enthralled. These are snap-together models (calling them "puzzles" is a little weird, actually) showing the anatomy of various critters, from humans to cows, mammoths, and my favorites, beetles and snails. They're made out of plastic that feels just like the plastic they use for the anatomical models you had in senior biology class, with the same color schemes, but the sculpting is absolutely gorgeous, making them into stylish knick-knacks as well as interesting scientific instructional materials.
Kikkerland's online shop carries the whole line, albeit at about 10 percent higher prices than other webstores that carry one or two. My advice is to check out the items here, find the ones you want and google for a cheaper one at another store. Link
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You used plastic models in high school anatomy? That's funny -- we had to dissect the real thing! (A mandatory part of the British A-level biology curriculum in the 1980s.)
I remember that once our class found out that the lens of the cow's eyeball would bounce much like a wobbly Super Ball, the things went flying around the classroom walls and tables. Our teacher, understandably, was not amused.
These are from Hong Kong.
See http://www.4dmaster.com/
The range is much larger and has some fun stuff. I love the chameleon tape measure.
Unfortunately the site is pretty sparse as to where to actually buy the things. There are lots of places in HK, Singapore and Japan. I will definitely be on the lookout next time I am in any of those places.
Rob
I'm such a wuss. Anatomical models like that always sicken me a bit. It makes no sense; like many of you, I had to dissect stuff in school, and that was no problem. I recall deer hunting with my father as a child, and seeing deer dressed before going to the butcher. That never bothered me, either. But there's something nauseating in seeing everything displayed so clinically.
That exhibit which recently toured the US, with the plasticized corpses, also provoked a similar sickness. It's just too clinical.
And I don't know why I felt the need to tell you all that. Hello, internet.
Yes Rj, less sickness would have been provoked if the corpses were not plasticized , but were presented in all their squishy putrefying awesomeness!