Accession No
6379
Brief Description
mathematical string model of a hyperboloid, by A R, Italian, c. 1900
Origin
Italy; Milan
Maker
A R
Class
mathematics; demonstration
Earliest Date
1900
Latest Date
1900
Inscription Date
Material
wood; rope (string); paint
Dimensions
Width = 432mm; depth = 330mm; height = 394mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from The Dorotheum, Palais Dorotheum, A-1010 Wien, Dorotheergasse 17, Vienna, Austria. Lot 241 in ‘Historische wissenschaftliche Instrumente’ sale on 20/5/2009.
Inscription
Iperboloide Elittico ad una falda [Manuscript]
A FARE IN MILANO [Stamp]
A R [Monogram stamp]
Description Notes
Mathematical string model of a hyperboloid, by ‘AR’, c. 1900, Milan, Italy.
Cylindrical-shaped string model, with two surface layers constructed from maroon string, mounted in a rectangular turned and veneered wood stand. Stand is decorated with marquetry veneer patterns. Stand consists of four turned pillars, which support a base plate and a top plate. The top plate has an oval hole in it, open to the inside of the string cylinders.
Condition: Fair - some large cracks in the surface of the base plate (complete).
References
Events
Description
Making mathematical models was an integral part of a mathematician’s research in the late nineteenth century. This model was likely used as a teaching aid for students of geometry. A common difficulty in studying geometry is visualising the problem or exercise in three dimensions. Mathematical string models demonstrate the methods to determine the shortest distance between two planes. The practice of constructing mathematical models (like this string model) originated with Gaspard Monge (1746–1818) who invented descriptive geometry, which represented three-dimensional surfaces in two dimensions. He also worked at classifying ruled surfaces. In modeling, tightly stretched strings following the path of a generated line best described a ruled surface according to Monge. He and his student Théodore Olivier (1793–1853) designed and built such models. This mathematical string model of a hyperboloid was made in Milan, Italy by an unknown individual with the initials: ‘A. R’.
11/03/2014
Created by: Allison Ksiazkiewicz on 11/03/2014
FM:46888
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