Model for Dynamics by Richard P. Baker, Baker #435

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 100 of his models are in the museum collections.

This painted metal and wire structure has a tag that reads: No. 435 (/) Displacement; angle Bisector. It has a wooden base painted black, a painted metal wire extending up for the base, and a metal representation of a bisecting plane between two planes. The metal piece is presently not joined to the supporting wire.

Baker built nine models to correspond to figures described by the German mathematician Eduard Study in a book on the geometry of dynamics (shortened by Baker to Dynamen). This model is one of them, which he described in his 1931 catalog as representing the “Construction of proper angle bisector for two planes which are transforms [sic] by a screw.”

References:

Baker, R.P., Mathematical Models, Iowa City, 1931, p. 16.

Study, E., Geometrie der Dynamen: Die Zusammensetzung von Kräften und Verwandte Gegenstände der Geometrie Bearb., Leipzig: B.G. Teubner, 1903, esp. p. 16, Fig. 2.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Frances E. Baker

ca 1906-1935

ID Number

MA.211257.086

accession number

211257

catalog number

211257.086

Object Name

geometric model

Physical Description

wood (overall material)

metal (overall material)

beige (overall color)

black (overall color)

support bolted through base. (overall production method/technique)

Measurements

average spatial: 13.2 cm x 19.2 cm x 14.3 cm; 5 3/16 in x 7 9/16 in x 5 5/8 in

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Mathematics

Science & Mathematics

National Museum of American History

Subject

Mathematics

Record ID

nmah_1087055

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-d84c-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa