@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I spotted these amazing models you build from matchsticks, well – similar sized wood stick that is called microbeams. I did some research online and here’s how they got started:

My name is Roland Quinton. I am the (INNOVATOR) creator of MATCHITECTURE

I am pleased to answer the numerous e-mails which I received since the beginning of Matchitecture.

Contrary to what many think, I am not an architect, but I am a pharmacist practising in Quebec (Canada). I began constructing with wooden matches and corks approximately 50 years ago. I was then 8 years old. We cooked using a gas stove and with the half burnt matches and corks I built little wooden figurines. I never lacked anything as, at that time, my father had a toy store.

Later, at about 15 years of age, I started to build a tower with very poor glue and absolutely no technique. I almost set fire to the house trying to remove the sulphur from the matches.

It was only at the age of 30 that I had tools made and created the construction Technique now used for Matchitecture. The matches then became Microbeams.

In the early 90′s, I realised that I had the beginnings of a construction game and I thought of naming it Matchitecture.

I worked very hard with different teams to finally develop with BO-JEUX the fourth generation of Matchitecture and we are continuously improving it.

I created Matchitecture because, for me, building with microbeams is very exciting. I wanted to share this passion with others.

More:

• Matchitecture – Link.
• More photos of Matchitecture @ Flickr – Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr – Link.
• MAKE’s coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! – Link.