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Model of a Cylindroid by Richard P. Baker, Baker #83 (a Ruled Surface)

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Baker, Richard P.
Description
This string model was constructed by Richard P. Baker, possibly before 1905 when he joined the mathematics faculty at the University of Iowa. Baker believed that models were essential for the teaching of many parts of mathematics and physics, and over one hundred of his models are in the museum collections. Baker mentioned the model in a 1905 listing of one hundred models he had constructed as well as in a 1931 catalog.
A typed paper label on the top of the wooden base of this model reads: No. 83 (/) CYLINDROID.
Like several other models Baker made, this shows a ruled surface, also called a scroll. Such a surface is swept out by a moving line. This line is represented by the blue string in the model. The string rotates periodically about the vertical access, and at the same time moves uniformly up (or down) the vertical axis. The surface also is known as Plücker’s conoid after the German mathematician and physicist Julius Plücker.
References:
R. P. Baker, A List of Mathematical Models, [1905], p. 13.
R. P. Baker, Mathematical Models, Iowa City, Iowa, 1931, p. 72.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Frances E. Baker
ca 1900-1935
ID Number
MA.211257.009
accession number
211257
catalog number
211257.009
Object Name
geometric model
Physical Description
thread (overall material)
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
blue (overall color)
black (overall color)
screwed and threaded (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
average spatial: 19.7 cm x 17.3 cm x 16.9 cm; 7 3/4 in x 6 13/16 in x 6 21/32 in
place made
United States
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Record ID
nmah_1079786
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-4438-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Geometric Model by Richard P. Baker, Ruled Surface Showing a Cylindroid
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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