Talk:Spirograph
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[edit] Expansion request
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Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. This article has been tagged since January 2007. |
- Someone who owns a Spirograph should take some measurements and describe the pieces. We ought to give the tooth spacings and the number of teeth on each wheel in a standard classic Spirograph toy.
- Add a history section, fitting Spirograph into the rich literature of patented design-drawing tools.
- Link to articles about filigree, especially mechanically generated (for example, for decorating paper currency).
- Photographs of the box, the toy in its box, and the toy in use.
- Diagrams of simple Spirograph figures.
- Discussion of the mathematics of spirograph curves, including parametric formulas for the curves and also discussion of the number theory which tells how many petals a given drawing will have.
- External links to the World of Mathematics page and to Spirograph applets.
Through my eBay usage, I have found the copyright dates for the variations listed. Sparkle Spirograph had a date of 1993 on the box but 1992 on the instructions, and I went with the earlier date.
[edit] Pre-Spirograph drawing toy
I have an early 20th C. device (it shows up in a Sears catalog of 1908) called "The Marvelous Wondergraph". It has no gears but uses a rotating disc for the paper and a reciprocating arm with adjustable pivots to hold a dip pen. When cranked it produces designs just like a Spirograph. --Saxophobia 13:39, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Conflict with Lissajous curve
The webpage for Lissajous curve states that (paraphrased) spirograph drawings look similar but have somewhat different math. This page states that the math is similar. Neither is backed by a reference. Edgriebel 19:13, 8 September 2006 (UTC)
- I think references to Lissajous curves should be removed. I really don't think the curves look very similar, and mathematically they are only similar in that trig functions are involved. I would like to remove the Lissajous section. Doctormatt 16:04, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
- Lissajou section has been removed. Doctormatt 03:25, 16 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Mathematical Theory
The mathematical theory behind Spirographs is referenced with respect to Lissajous Curves, but is never discussed. The theory should be included and referenced. -- Edgriebel 14:24, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
- I disagree. The very first sentence indicates that spirographs generate hypo- and epicycloids, and the theory is included there (or should be). I would like to remove the theory section. Doctormatt 16:04, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
- The section has been removed. Doctormatt 03:21, 16 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Howes and/or Fischer?
I arrived at this page via the article on the Easy-Bake Oven (all right, no giggling, please) which states that Easy-Bake Oven creator "Ronald Howes... also had a hand in many other classic Kenner toys such as ... Spirograph." It certainly leaves one with the impression that he, and not Fisher created the Spirograph. Should that reference be deleted... or should a supporting role for Howe be added here? Shawn in Montreal 17:55, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
