Geometric Model by A. Harry Wheeler, Square Transformable into Two Squares, Portion, Plane Dissection

Geometric Model by A. Harry Wheeler, Square Transformable into Two Squares, Portion, Plane Dissection

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Description
The four pieces of this hinged dissection may be arranged as a square or as a square ring with a square hole. With a square, it becomes Wheeler's model 5SA, and a partially hinged dissection.
This is a demonstration of the Pythagorean Theorem. This is Wheeler's model 5SA. It follows a model of Henry Perigal. A drawing for this model, dated April 7, 1932, is in 1979.3002.43, folder 1. Perigal did not present this as a hinged dissection, Wheeler did. Greg N. Frederickson comments that in the 1980s, David Singmaster noted that the model was hingeable and constructed a hinged version.
References:
W. W. R. Ball, Mathematical Recreations and Essays, p. 88.
Greg N. Ferguson, Hinged Dissections: Swinging & Twisting, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002, pp. 33-34.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
geometric model
date made
ca 1932
maker
Wheeler, Albert Harry
place made
United States: Massachusetts, Worcester
Physical Description
plastic (overall material)
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
red (overall color)
hinged (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
average spatial: 1.5 cm x 9 cm x 9 cm; 19/32 in x 3 17/32 in x 3 17/32 in
ID Number
MA.304723.774
accession number
304723
catalog number
304723.774
Credit Line
Gift of Helen M. Wheeler
subject
Mathematics
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Plane Dissections
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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