Model of the Polar Developable of a Twisted Cubic, by Richard P. Baker, Baker #146 ? (a Ruled Surface)

Object Details

Baker, Richard P.

Description

This geometric model was constructed by Richard P. Baker in the early twentieth century when he was Associate Professor of 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 typed part of a paper label on the wooden base reads: “No. 146 (/) POLAR DEVELOPABLE (/) TW.CUBIC” and corresponds to one of four models in the museum collections that Baker listed in a section, “A Study of the Twisted Cubic,” of his 1931 catalog. The other three are MA.211257.023 (No. 139. Surface of binormals), MA.211257.024 (No. 140. Surface of tangents), and MA.211257.025 (No. 141. Rectifying developable). There is no wire curve surviving in model No. 140 (Surface of tangents). The curves in No. 139 (Surface of binormals) and No. 141 (Rectifying developable) are both twisted since neither of them lies in any plane in three space.

Unlike the wire curves in the Nos. 139 and 141, the wire curve shown in No. 146, Polar developable, appears to lie in a plane so may not be a twisted cubic as shown on its label. Another reason to believe that this model may have been mislabeled is that the polar developable of a twisted cubic would not consist of a set of parallel lines.

Reference:

Richard P. Baker, Mathematical Models, Iowa City, 1931, p. 12.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Frances E. Baker

ca 1906-1935

ID Number

MA.211257.030

accession number

211257

catalog number

211257.030

Object Name

geometric model

Physical Description

wood (overall material)

thread (overall material)

metal (overall material)

blue (overall color)

copper (overall color)

black (overall color)

screwed and threaded. (overall production method/technique)

Measurements

average spatial: 14.9 cm x 25.8 cm x 25.8 cm; 5 7/8 in x 10 5/32 in x 10 5/32 in

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Mathematics

Science & Mathematics

National Museum of American History

Subject

Mathematics

Record ID

nmah_1081176

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-42d5-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa