Model of a Hinged Octahedron, by Richard P. Baker, Baker #158 (Bricard Octahedron)

Description:

Richard P. Baker made some models of surfaces that hadn’t been known for long. In 1897, the French engineer Raoul Bricard introduced new forms of octahedron. This is model illustrates what is now called a Bricard octahedron. The six triangular faces are hinged together along six edges. The figure consists of two pyramids constructed on the same quadrilateral base (in this case, the quadrilateral is a rectangle). The pyramids have their vertices on the same side of the quadrilateral. Only three faces of each pyramid are shown – the fourth faces intersect. A typed paper tag on the model reads: No.158 (/) Hinged Octahedron, I.

References:

Richard P. Baker, Mathematical Models, Iowa City, 1931, p. 22. The model is described in the section on links. There is a reference to Bricard’s 1897 paper.

Peter Cromwell, Polyhedra, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997, pp. 239-240, 429.

Date Made: ca 1906-1935

Maker: Baker, Richard P.

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States

Subject: Mathematics

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics, Science & Mathematics

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Frances E. Baker

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MA.211257.033Accession Number: 211257Catalog Number: 211257.033

Object Name: geometric model

Physical Description: metal (overall material)beige (overall color)hinged and soldered. (overall production method/technique)Measurements: average spatial: 11 cm x 18.8 cm x 8.6 cm; 4 11/32 in x 7 13/32 in x 3 3/8 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-2c3d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1081210

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