Math Monday: 3D Hilbert curve from plumbing supplies

Math Monday: 3D Hilbert Curve from plumbing supplies

By George Hart for the Museum of Mathematics

The 3D Hilbert curve is an infinitely long path which wiggles around through all regions of a cube, making right angles in a systematic manner.

Physical models can be made with additive fabrication technology. The elegant metal version above was designed by Carlo Séquin. If you have access to a fabrication machine, you can try making your own using the .STL files that Carlo has provided here.

Chaim Goodman-Strauss had the idea of making a large version from plumbing supplies. The above construction uses sixty-four PVC elbows.

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