Math Monday: String Hyperboloid

Craft & Design Science
Math Monday: String Hyperboloid

By George Hart for the Museum of Mathematics

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A string hyperboloid can be made by running strings between two circles and rotating one relative to the other. Here’s one large enough to stand inside of—it is fourteen feet high—between four-foot diameter circles.


It is easy to make your own. Just cut out two circles from a sheet of plywood, drill a series of equally spaced holes, and be prepared to tie lots of knots.

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See all of George Hart’s Math Monday columns

6 thoughts on “Math Monday: String Hyperboloid

  1. Daphne Gledhill says:

    Neat project. I’m thinking of making one comprised of several different colors of string.

    Daphne Gledhill
    Free Email Marketing

  2. Anonymous says:

    It reminds me of the movie “Cube”.

  3. M@ says:

    I want to make this into a harp.

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Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

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