Editing Plasticine (section)

== History ==
[[Franz Kolb]], owner of a pharmacy in [[Munich]], Germany, invented an oil-based modelling clay in 1880.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sculpturetools.com/chavant/cart/plasteline.html|title=Plasteline|publisher=sculpturetools.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820132041/http://www.sculpturetools.com/chavant/cart/plasteline.html|archive-date=August 20, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the time, the city was a centre for the arts, and among Kolb's circle of friends were sculptors. They complained about how with the clay they were using for modelling, their sculptures would dry too fast and that, particularly in winter, it was too difficult to work with. In order to commercialize his invention, he presented it to the [[Faber-Castell]] company in 1887, which had back then the name "''Kunst-Modellierthon''" (known as [[Plastilin]]), where it is still sold nowadays under the name "''Münchner Künstler Plastilin''" (Munich artists' Plastilin). In Italy, the product ''Pongo'' is also marketed as "''plastilina''" and shares the main attributes of Plasticine.

[[File:Plastilin-ddr.jpg|thumb|East German ''Plastilina'']]Plasticine is approximately 65% [[bulking agent]] (principally [[gypsum]]), 10% [[petroleum jelly]], 5% [[Lime (material)|lime]], 10% [[lanolin]] and 10% [[stearic acid]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=May|first1=James|title=Toy Stories|date=2009|publisher=Conway|location=London|isbn=9781844861071|page=[https://archive.org/details/jamesmaystoystor0000mayj/page/16 16]|url=https://archive.org/details/jamesmaystoystor0000mayj/page/16}}</ref> It cannot be hardened by [[kiln|firing]], it [[melting|melts]] when exposed to heat, and is [[Combustibility and flammability|flammable]] at higher temperatures.{{citation needed |date= September 2015}} In France, it is made by Herbin, and marketed as Plastiline. In Spain, toy manufacturer Jovi markets a product also branded "Plastilina", made from vegetable matter which makes it lighter. [[Play-Doh]], which is based on flour, salt and water, dries on exposure to air.

===Harbutt===
[[William Harbutt]], an [[art]] teacher in [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], England, formulated Plasticine in 1897. Harbutt wanted a non-drying [[clay]] for his [[sculpture]] students. He created a non-toxic, sterile, soft and [[Ductility|malleable]] clay that did not dry when exposed to air.

Harbutt received a patent in 1899 and commercial production started at a factory in [[Bathampton]] in 1900. The original Plasticine was grey, but four colours were produced for initial sales to the public. Plasticine was used by children and was often bought by schools for teaching art. It has found a wide variety of other uses (for example moulding casts for plaster, and plastics).

Harbutt patented a different formulation in 1915,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=EPODOC&II=3&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=en_EP&FT=D&date=19150830&CC=GB&NR=191419211A&KC=A|title=Citation of 1915 Harbutt patent|website=[[Espacenet]]|accessdate=15 August 2023}}</ref> which added wool fibres to give plasticine a stronger composition intended for ear plugs, and as a sterile dressing for wounds and burns.<ref>{{cite book|last1=May|first1=James|title=Toy Stories|date=2009|publisher=Conway|location=London|isbn=9781844861071|page=[https://archive.org/details/jamesmaystoystor0000mayj/page/25 25]|url=https://archive.org/details/jamesmaystoystor0000mayj/page/25}}</ref> The Harbutt company marketed Plasticine as a children's toy by producing modelling kits based on characters from children's stories, such as [[Noddy (character)|Noddy]], the [[Mr. Men]] and [[Paddington Bear]].

The original Plasticine factory was destroyed by fire in 1963 and replaced by a modern building. The Harbutt company produced Plasticine in Bathampton until 1983, when production was moved to Thailand.

The [[Colorforms]] company was the major American licensee of Plasticine from 1979 until at least 1984. The use of a different chalk compound caused a product inconsistency, and the US version was considered inferior to the original mix.

[[Bluebird Toys plc]] acquired Plasticine through its purchase of [[Peter Pan Playthings Ltd]], Harbutt's parent company. In 1998, [[Mattel]] bought Bluebird and the brand was sold to [[Humbrol Ltd]], known for its model paints and owner of the [[Airfix]] model kit brand. Flair Leisure licensed the brand from Humbrol in 2005 and relaunched Plasticine. It acquired the brand outright, when Humbrol entered administration a year later.