JJ Thomson proposed in 1898 that atom was spherical (radius approximately 10-10 m). That the positive charge was uniformly distributed in this sphere. And that the electrons were embedded in it like the plum in pudding, in such a manner that the atom is in a stable electrostatic state.
It is called plum pudding, raisin pudding or watermelon model.
Mass of the atom was assumed to be uniformly distributed over the atom (Rutherford said it to be localized in nucleus)
Thomson got Nobel in 1906 not for this no non-sense model (which not only helped in explaining the neutrality of the atom, but is also accepted as a standard for computational models involving spherical systems like golf balls, global weather models, and biological viruses), but for his investigations on the conduction of electricity by gases.
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Be careful about calling the Thomson model "nonsense". It is now treated with great respect as a standard for computational models involving spherical systems (e.g. golf balls, global weather models, and biological viruses -- to name a FEW).
Does it have value when it comes to the atomic structure. I think so. At least this is what I found a few months before defending my dissertation.
As scientists we should never foolishly discredit any model as everything has some value. To do so is bad science.
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