Model of a Double Cone and a Hyperbola of One Sheet in Contact by Richard P. Baker, Baker #505 (a Ruled Surface)

Object Details

Baker, Richard P.

Description

This geometric model was constructed by Richard P. Baker in the early twentieth century when he was Associate Professor of Mathematics 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.

The typed part of a paper label on the wooden base reads: No. 505 (/) SIMPLE CONTACT; ROOTS 2, 1. The model has a wooden frame painted black and two metal supports. The yellow threads join two elliptical rings of holes, one at the top and one at the bottom. The red strings join two straight lines of holes, one on the top and one on the bottom. In both cases, the threads are twisted but do not all meet at a point.at the center.

This was the second of five models Wheeler designed of “cones with a common vertex.” Four of these are in the Smithsonian collections. They are Wheeler’s numbers 504 (MA.211257.098), 505 (MA.211257.099), 507 (MA.211257.100), and 508 MA.211257.101).

Reference:

Richard P. Baker, “Mathematical Models,” Iowa City, Iowa, January, 1931, p. 10.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Frances E. Baker

ca 1906-1935

ID Number

MA.211257.099

accession number

211257

catalog number

211257.099

Object Name

geometric model

Physical Description

thread (overall material)

wood (overall material)

metal (overall material)

red (overall color)

black (overall color)

yellow (overall color)

blue (overall color)

screwed, bolted & threaded. (overall production method/technique)

Measurements

average spatial: 22.6 cm x 25 cm x 25.4 cm; 8 29/32 in x 9 27/32 in x 10 in

average spatial: 22.6 cm x 25 cm x 25.4 cm; 8 7/8 in x 9 13/16 in x 10 in

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Mathematics

Science & Mathematics

National Museum of American History

Subject

Mathematics

Record ID

nmah_1087355

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-3798-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa