Bill Sheridan started making ships in bottles in 1981 during his senior year at the University of Connecticut. He had previously been an avid model builder of WWI airplanes and muscle cars, but became fascinated with the art of ship-in-the-bottle models after reading books by Don Hubbard and Jack Needham. He got the urge to start building ships in bottles due to an overabundance of empty bottles readily found in college dorms of that era. After attempting 3 or 4 models he gave up the hobby for a while and began work at United Technologies Corporation as an engineer. He was married in 1983 and started a family soon afterward. He now has a son and daughter both attending college at this time (2007).


Engineer's Book Helps Beginners Build Ships In BottlesStory By JESSE LEAVENWORTHThe Hartford CourantAugust 29, 2007 In his new book, Bill Sheridan recommends Pinch Scotch Whiskey bottles as the best containers for novice modelers.
Sheridan doesn't cover how to empty the bottles in the "Beginner's Guide to Building Ships in Bottles," but it's probably best to leave a window between consumption and a hobby that requires fine motor skills and razor-edged tools.... (click on the title "Smooth Sailing" above to see the entire article)
Sheridan doesn't cover how to empty the bottles in the "Beginner's Guide to Building Ships in Bottles," but it's probably best to leave a window between consumption and a hobby that requires fine motor skills and razor-edged tools.... (click on the title "Smooth Sailing" above to see the entire article)
Bottles by Bill Sheridan