In the event of a government shutdown, American History will remain OPEN through at least Saturday, October 7, by using prior year funds. Visit si.edu for updates.

Geometric Model by C. D. Wesson, a Student of A. Harry Wheeler, Great Icosahedron

Geometric Model by C. D. Wesson, a Student of A. Harry Wheeler, Great Icosahedron

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
The great icosahedron is a regular polyhedron formed from twenty intersecting equilateral triangles which combine to produce a figure with twelve points. The surface was first described by the Frenchman Louis Poinsot in 1809 and is now known as a Kepler-Poinsot solid. This is a cut and folded paper version of the surface. A mark on it reads: C.D. Wesson (/) 6/15/16. Another mark reads: H.S. of C. (/) 1916. This model was made while A. Harry Wheeler was teaching mathematics at the High School of Commerce in Worcester.
The model is presently (February, 2019) in pieces, suggesting how it would have been assembled.
For an older model of this surface, see MA.304722.28. Compare 1979.0102.092, 1979.0102.259, and 1979.0102.278
References:
H. M. Cundy and A. P. Rollet, Mathematical Models, Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1961.
Magnus J. Wenninger, Polyhedron Models, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974, p. 63-64.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
geometric model
date made
1916 06 15
place made
United States: Massachusetts, Worcester
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 10.7 cm x 8.6 cm x 8.6 cm; 4 7/32 in x 3 3/8 in x 3 3/8 in
ID Number
1979.0102.278
accession number
1979.0102
catalog number
1979.0102.278
Credit Line
Gift of Louise D. Campbell
subject
Mathematics
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.