Legendary Toothpick Ship Builder: 50 Years of Masterpieces - Coolest Thing I've Ever Made EP27

Coolest Thing2 minutes read

Wayne Kusy has spent almost five decades constructing intricate ship models out of millions of toothpicks and gallons of glue, with his largest creation, the Queen Mary, made from 815,000 toothpicks over five years and now displayed in an Illinois museum. His meticulous craftsmanship and innovative techniques have led to the creation of 11 ships, each requiring precision and dedication to complete.

Insights

  • Wayne Kusy has dedicated almost five decades to crafting intricate ships from toothpicks, with his largest model, the Queen Mary, requiring 815,000 toothpicks and five years to complete in six sections due to its immense size and complexity.
  • The meticulous craftsmanship of Wayne's toothpick ships has garnered significant attention, leading to the Queen Mary becoming a prominent exhibit at the American Model Ship Museum in Sadorus, Illinois, showcasing his unique and detailed approach to creating these intricate pieces of art.

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Recent questions

  • How long has Wayne Kusy been building toothpick ships?

    Nearly 50 years

  • What is the largest model Wayne Kusy has built?

    The Queen Mary

  • How many toothpicks did Wayne Kusy use for the Cutty Sark?

    52,000 toothpicks

  • Where is the Queen Mary displayed now?

    American Model Ship Museum in Sadorus, Illinois

  • How does Wayne Kusy transport his toothpick ships?

    In one or two sections

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Summary

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Toothpick Ship Master: Wayne Kusy's Creations

  • Wayne Kusy has been building ships out of toothpicks for nearly 50 years, using around 2 million toothpicks and 50 gallons of glue for his creations.
  • His largest model, the Queen Mary, was made from 815,000 toothpicks and took approximately 5 years to complete in six sections due to its size.
  • Wayne's toothpick ships are usually transported in one or two sections, with the Queen Mary requiring 10 people to remove from his apartment and move down three flights of stairs.
  • The Queen Mary is now a main attraction at the American Model Ship Museum in Sadorus, Illinois, after Wayne contacted them to house his creation.
  • Wayne has built 11 ships, including a 52,000-toothpick Cutty Sark and a current commission work of a toothpick catamaran yacht, using specific techniques like gluing toothpicks in twos for strength and flexibility.
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