A truck driver spent 20 years making a scale model of every building in NYC (smithsonianmag.com)

Article summary

A truck driver, Joe Macken, spent 20 years creating a 1,350-square-foot scale model of New York City, including every building, stadium, street, and bridge. The model is now on display at the Museum of the City of New York. Macken's project began with a single building, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and grew to encompass all five boroughs and parts of New Jersey and Long Island. The model features nearly a million structures and was made using balsa wood, acrylic paint, and other materials.

Main themes

• Scale modeling
• New York City
• Dedication and perseverance
• Art and creativity
• Museums and exhibitions

What commenters say

• The creator's ordinary background and lack of specialized skills make his achievement more impressive and inspiring.
• The model's level of detail and accuracy are impressive, but some commenters question how the creator managed to build so many structures in 20 years.
• The museum's exhibition of the model is seen as a great way to share the creator's work with the public and allow people to connect with their own city.
• Some commenters feel that the museum's staff and curators are co-opting the creator's work and using overly dramatic language to describe it.
• The model's ability to evoke a sense of recognition and ownership in viewers is a key part of its appeal and value.
• The use of simple materials and techniques, such as balsa wood and X-Acto knives, is seen as a testament to the creator's resourcefulness and skill.
• The model's representation of a single moment in time raises questions about how to handle changes to the city over the 20-year period it was being built.
• The creator's goal of including every single building in the model is seen as a key aspect of its charm and appeal.