STM Completes 17 State-of-the-Art Solid Terrain Models for National Geographic Society's Museum, Explorers Hall.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

FILLMORE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 26, 2002

Large, Full-Color, 3-D Scale Models of Sites on Earth and Mars,

and of Hurricane Floyd, Now on Display

Solid Terrain Modeling (STM), the maker of the world's most accurate solid terrain models, has completed 17 state-of-the-art models for the National Geographic Society. The large, full-color, 3-D scale models of sites on Earth and Mars, and of Hurricane Floyd, are now on display at the National Geographic Society's museum, Explorers Hall, in Washington, D.C.

Using digital satellite data and patent-pending technology, STM cut each model from high-density plastic foam and then, printed a satellite photograph of the site directly onto the model. JPL, NASA, NOAA, Swiss Air, Worldsat, and other agencies and companies throughout the world supplied satellite elevation and imagery data for the models.

"We put a lot of faith in STM, and they really came through for us on these projects," said Allen Carroll, chief cartographer for National Geographic. "After we installed the models in the museum, we invited everyone who worked on them to a special showing. The people from NOAA, JPL, NASA, and the other agencies and companies that supplied the data, had never seen anything like these models before. They were awestruck when they saw their data come to life in 3-D."

The models range in size from 5.5-feet by 4-feet to 52-feet by 6-feet. They include the Alps, Byrd Glacier, Chesapeake Bay and the Appalachian Range, the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Hurricane Floyd, Mount Everest, Mount Fuji, Mount St. Helens (before and after the 1980 eruption), Oahu, Olympus Mons on Mars, Patagonia, San Francisco Bay, the Virunga Mountains, and Afghanistan.

"The museum's large windows had always been draped to protect exhibits," said Susan Norton, director of the Explorers Hall. "When we remodeled last year, we had a chance to create a museum display to the outside. We decided to feature STM models and artifacts from around the world to invite visitors to take a closer look.

"The models are spectacular -- you can see them in the windows from two blocks away," continued Norton. "People are drawn to them and come up off the street to find out more about them."

Although most of the models are displayed in the museum windows, the model of Everest, 18" in elevation at its highest point, needed to be displayed flat. In addition, the 52-foot-long model of a section of the Grand Canyon hangs from the ceiling in the museum's entrance where people can walk beneath and study it.

STM also produced models of the north and south faces of the Columbia River Gorge. These were used by Decker Studios (Hollywood, CA) to cast two 16-foot-long bronze models which sit atop granite walls across from each other, and flank the walkway to the museum entrance.

"We were thrilled when the National Geographic Society chose our models for their beautiful museum," said Lawrence Faulkner, president of STM. "The models give museum visitors a view of the world that simply isn't available through maps, virtual models or other solid models."

EDITORS' NOTE: To see a photo gallery of STM models -- or preview/download photos of the National Geographic models and a longer version of this press release -- go to the "Press Release" section in the virtual "Press Room" at www.stm-usa.com. The gallery is in the upper left-hand corner, and the press release and links to photos are immediately below.