Object Details
maker
Baker, Richard P.
Description
This model was made by Richard P. Baker in the early twentieth century when he was on the faculty in mathematics at the University of Iowa. Baker believed that models were essential for the teaching of many parts of mathematics and physics, and over 100 of his models are in the museum collections.
The object has a rectangular wooden base, white on top and black on the sides. Red lines are drawn on the base. A wire structure is bolted to it in three spots. Four wires have directional arrows. A mark on the object reads: No. 233 (/) Screw motion. Thompson and (/) Tait.
The motion of a screw is a combination of a circular motion (suggested by the red circle with an arrow on it) and a linear motion (suggested by the straight black wire with an arrow on it pointing into the base). The British mathematical physicists William Thomson and Peter Guthrie Tait explored the motion of screws in their Treatise on Natural Philosophy, first published in 1867, although no figure that corresponds precisely to this model has been located.
In his 1931 catalog, Baker listed this model in the section on “Mechanics & Theory of Screws.” The names of those associated who inspired the model are spelled Thomson and Tait.
References:
Baker, R.P., Mathematical Models, Iowa City, 1931, p. 15.
Thomson, W. and P.G. Tait, Treatise on Natural Philosophy, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1867. This volume was later revised and published as Elements of Natural Philosophy.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Frances E. Baker
date made
ca 1906-1935
ID Number
MA.211257.040
accession number
211257
catalog number
211257.040
Object Name
geometric model
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
white (overall color)
yellow (overall color)
red (overall color)
green (overall color)
soldered (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
average spatial: 17.5 cm x 27.8 cm x 17.9 cm; 6 7/8 in x 10 15/16 in x 7 1/16 in
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1081893