h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...or your linguistic equivalent, are a popular building material for young children here. Usually starting with the triangular *frisbee* made by tension overlaps of six sticks forming two main triangles that *explode* on impact and ramping up to fully glued recreations of the Malwiya Minaret or the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.

Personally in my youth I made a three foot high pyramid out of nothing but wood glue and toothpicks- all made of little teeny, tiny pyramids. I was a lonely child....

Interesting entry- thanks!

What glue is used for matchstick modelling? Obviously if you are spending a couple of years building a six foot model of Westminster Abbey you don't want it to fall apart after a few months.

White wood glue I would think, if the piece is to stay inside and dry. Exterior wood glue if it is destined to be Al Fresco.

Jewellry boxes , picture frames and model caravans , are from my experience , by far the most popular creations made from matchsticks .

I remember as a young boy receiving a huge bag of matchsticks. I plunged my little hands in with unbridled glee!!

Several hours later, after extracting no end of splinters from my poor hands, I lost interest. Months later, I found the bag up in the attic. I set about rekindling (no pun intended) my interest.

Ironically, the only thing I ever 'made' with them was a cover for a matchbox.

They do make excellent substitute rawl plugs, I'll have to give them that.