Robert J. Lang

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This article is about an origami artist named Robert Lang. For others, see Robert Lang.

Dr. Robert J. Lang (born 19??) is an American scientist who is also one of the foremost origami artists and theorists in the world. He is known for his complex and elegant designs, most notably of animals. He has long been a student of the mathematics of origami and of using computers to study the theories behind origami. He has made great advances in making real-world applications of origami to engineering problems.

1 Accomplishments
2 Biography
3 Bibliography
4 Notes
5 External links

[edit] Accomplishments

Among Lang's numerous origami models is his recently released black forest cuckoo clock. This model has over 100 steps, and features pine cone clock-weights, and folded clock hands. Lang helped design the folding pattern for a massive space telescope lens.

[edit] Biography

Lang was born in Ohio.^[1] He has been interested in folding paper since he was 6 years old^[2], growing up in Atlanta, Georgia^[1]. He received a Ph.D. in Applied Physics^[3] from the California Institute of Technology. Lang had a long career as a laser physicist and engineer, with a background in NASA.

Lang specializes in finding real-world applications for the various theories of origami he has developed. These included designing folding patterns for a German airbag manufacturer.^[3] He has worked with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, where a team is developing a powerful space telescope, with a 100 m (328 ft) lens in the form of a thin membrane. Lang was hired by the team to develop a way to fit the tremendous lens, known as the Eyeglass, into a small rocket in such a way that the lens can be unfolded in space and will not suffer from any permanent marks or creases.^[3]

In 2002, Lang moved from being an engineer to being a full-time origami artist and consultant.

Lang has authored and co-authored over 80 publications on semiconductor lasers, optics, and integrated optoelectronics. He holds 40 patents in these fields. He has written and co-written eight books.

He resides in Alamo, California.^[1]