the harmonograph
two pendulums, one pen, a great deal of nothing
for {{name}}
idle

the pendulums

frequency ratio
3 : 2
3
2
0.06
45°
.0030

the pen

55%
0.8
3×

Space: pause. R: random. C: clear. 1/2/3: instrument.

known configurations

on the desk

A four-pendulum lateral harmonograph, after the fashion of the ones built by amateur mathematicians and Victorian schoolmasters between about 1875 and 1905. The pen traces the sum of the two axial pendulums, damped by air resistance. The curve closes if the frequency ratio is rational and doesn't if it isn't.

the cabinet

nothing pinned yet — let one settle