  The quantum theory of Bohr has roots in the theories of Rutherford and J. J.
Thomson on the one hand, and that of Nicholson on the other. We note that Bohr
neither presented the theories of Rutherford and Thomson faithfully, nor did he
refer to the theory of Nicholson in its own terms. The contrasting attitudes
towards these antecedent theories is telling and reveals the philosophical
disposition of Bohr. We argue that Bohr intentionally avoided the concept of
model as inappropriate for describing his proposed theory. Bohr had no problem
in referring to the works of others as 'models', thus separating his theory
from previous theories. He was interested in uncovering 'a little piece of
reality'.
