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Geometric Model by A. Harry Wheeler, Square Transformable into an Equilateral Triangle, Plane Dissection

American History Museum

Hinged Plane Dissection, One triangle and three quadrilaterals which can be arranged as a triangle or a quadrilateral.
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  • Hinged Plane Dissection, One triangle and three quadrilaterals which can be arranged as a triangle or a quadrilateral.
  • Hinged Plane Dissection, One triangle and three quadrilaterals which can be arranged as a triangle or a quadrilateral.

    Object Details

    maker

    Wheeler, Albert Harry

    Description

    These four hinged pieces may be arranged a an equilateral triangle or a square.
    Compare MA.304723.764, MA.304723.819, MA.304723.766, and MA.304723.823.
    This is similar but not identical to Wheeler's Model 4ST. Two drawings for that puzzle, both dated January 17, 1932 and April 26, 1932, are in 1979.3002.43, folder 1. The drawings refers to the Mathematical Gazette - no volume or page is given. A drawing in 1979.3002.53 dated January 5, 193? refers to this model as 4C.
    References:
    Fredrickson, Greg N., Dissections Plane and Fancy, pp. 136-137 attributes publication of this dissection to Dudeney (1902).
    H. E. Dudeney, The Canterbury Puzzles, pp. 49-50, 178-180. Dudeney specifically points out on p.180 that the puzzle may be made with the pieces hinged. The first edition of the book appeared in 1907, the second in 1919.

    Location

    Currently not on view

    Credit Line

    Gift of Helen M. Wheeler

    date made

    ca 1932.

    ID Number

    MA.304723.766

    accession number

    304723

    catalog number

    304723.766

    Object Name

    geometric model

    Physical Description

    plastic (overall material)
    wood (overall material)
    metal (overall material)
    turquoise (overall color)
    red (overall color)
    yellow (overall color)
    black (overall color)
    cut, glued and hinged (overall production method/technique)

    Measurements

    average spatial: 1.1 cm x 13.2 cm x 20.2 cm; 7/16 in x 5 3/16 in x 7 15/16 in

    place made

    United States: Massachusetts, Worcester

    See more items in

    Medicine and Science: Mathematics
    Science & Mathematics
    Plane Dissections

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Subject

    Mathematics

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-38d8-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_1074337

    Discover More

    Wooden hinged dissection comprised of four trapezoids arranged in a square, a triangle, and a smaller square.

    Geometric Models – Plane Dissections

    Wooden hinged dissection comprised of four trapezoids arranged in a square, a triangle, and a smaller square.

    Geometric Models – Plane Dissections

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