In today's local newspaper (Minneapolis Star Tribune) there was an article and picture of a model of the new Vikings football stadium (site of upcoming superbowl), made from toothpicks.
http://www.startribune.com/new-minnesotan-puts-his-spirit-and-6-400-toothpicks-into-u-s-bank-stadium-replica/462866363/
I am having troubles inserting link either to page or picture- hope the above works.
Used to be, these models (toothpick or matchstick) used to be quite common. I think the wider availability of basswood and balsa at hobby shops made this building material a lot rarer. I used to know a guy who built a beautiful 1:16 Hughes racer from matchsticks.
The builder was a retired hobby shop proprietor who retired from California and moved to michigan.