Origin of Copenhagen Ships Curves

[mordred]

Hi,

Please can anyone provide some background information about Copenhagen Ships Curves. I know what they are but I can find no information about them in terms of

1) why they are so named
2) how many curves make up a set -- have seen numbers ranging from 36 to 56
3) who invented them and when
4) [most mysterious of all] and how they also, apparently, became known as French Curves - given the geography

Any ideas would be really welcome

many thanks

Mordred