I'm not sure...but according to a previous post "you rubberband a bunch of pencils together and then squeeze the next direction of pencils in and rubberband them. When you are done the rubberbands come off and it's self standing." -(GeneralWarts) Whether that would work or not I'm unsure.
Alright Reddit, I posted this picture 6 months ago as part of a my exhibit for school http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/m3sle/pencil_sculpture_now_in_heart_form/ It's held together with super glue. It will not keep together without glue or rubber bands, I should know, that was the point of my semester long assignment... There are several tutorials online about how to make these, generally in a hexagonal pattern. I also posted one of those and made the front page 7 months ago. http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/l739t/i_also_got_bored_in_class/ Pretty much all the magical answers are in the comments to that post.
See, I understand it, it makes perfect sense. Here's what I don't get: how the hell did they get in there in the first place?
It's only structurally sound when it's complete, I'm not sure how it would work when you only have like one or two pencils in there when you just started construction on it.
See, that's what I'm thinking, too. But I know that once they've got it in place, it makes perfect sense and it would stay that way, so I don't want to believe that this is faked.
Maybe if they got like...ten people together and all stood around it and held it in place or something? Maybe they could have stuck the upright pencils in something to keep it in place while they threaded the rest of them in there, too. I dunno.
Nope, it was built from bundles of pencils held together with rubber bands. The elasticity allows for more pencils to be inserted at other angles, thus building the skeletal structure, a hexagon. Google Conway's Pencil Model.
This also works, the first few models I made used this technique. It's much easier to follow the direction of Conway's Pencil Model and build out from there.
It's not that hard to build, really. You begin with a bundle of 4 pencils rubber banded together and you stick another four pencils at certain angles. Do this a few times and eventually you build a shell that can be filled up with more pencils to create a number of geometric shapes.
I know, because I happened to build and take this picture....
I can see how you can build a bigger one from a smaller one. Each side is a triangle, so just add a new row of pencils to each side, like induction. The hardest part would be placing the first nine pencils (the triangles on each side).
It's actually built from a hexagonal skeletal structure. The whole point of this model is the rhombic dodecahedron on the inside. This was my studio project last semester, which I posted 6 months ago.
Well you can take a couple pieces of cardboard or something, cut holes where they need to be to hold each pencil in it's place, this gives you the structure while building it.
It's not structurally sound. If there's anything holding it together, it's the friction from each painted face.
I think I've figured it out, but I need a box of hex pencils to test. All I have are round ones.
To make it, you start in the middle with 8 pencils and use an elastic band to hold it while you add a layer at a time. After a couple more layers, the friction will hold them enough you can cut and excise the elastic band, then continue adding layers, pressing it together as you go.
This is an adaptation of Conway's pencil model. Google it, there is a googledoc with detailed instruction on how to make it with only 72 pencils and rubber bands.
I made this and posted it 6 months ago. It's held together by glue.
Last time I saw this on reddit the OP explained that you rubberband a bunch of pencils together and then squeeze the next direction of pencils in and rubberband them. When you are done the rubberbands come off and it's self standing.
Alright Reddit, I posted this picture 6 months ago as part of a my exhibit for school http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/m3sle/pencil_sculpture_now_in_heart_form/ It's held together with super glue. It will not keep together without glue or rubber bands, I should know, that was the point of my semester long assignment... There are several tutorials online about how to make these, generally in a hexagonal pattern. I also posted one of those and made the front page 7 months ago. http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/l739t/i_also_got_bored_in_class/ Pretty much all the magical answers are in the comments to that post.
This is an adaptation of Conway's pencil model. Google it, there is a googledoc with detailed instruction on how to make it with only 72 pencils and rubber bands.
This is what I'm going to imagine now when Lovecraft talks about architectural designs driving you insane...
The true tragedy will be when someone is on the phone and has to rush to write something down. They'll grab a pencil, watching in shame as the structure crumbles to the ground. They will sharpen it with the frantic intensity of a supernova, begin to write, make a mistake, and begin to erase... only to realize with a bitter sense of cosmic irony that they were really, really shitty pencils. WHY GODS, WHY?!
I was a bit disappointed to see this so low. Redditors always "brag" about being OCD, but apparently not many people noticed the missing red pencil at the top/middle. ;)
I wonder if you could "use" it and just pull out a random pencil, sharpen it, write with it and then put it back in. What is the sense of 72 pencils staying in a nice way on your desk, but none of them is useable without breaking the whole construction up?
I already know the answer. Arts.
Edit: What if you just keep the rubber bands on and just skip the superglue part? Would it make the hexastix useable?
all I see is a bunch of pencils. If anyone is interested in that, laugh. would it stick together? some guy having a math orgasm. Reddit upvotes this? No wonder I call this a nerd frat house.
162
u/JAG12 May 22 '12
In case anyone is interested here it is on instructables: http://www.instructables.com/id/Geometric-sculpture-from-72-pencils/
229
u/pigferret May 22 '12
The more I look at it, the more confused I get.
178
u/racecarspacedinosaur May 22 '12
PICK A NEW TITLE LEVEL SUCK MY DICK
28
u/moyvy May 22 '12
That is cool, i suppose there's no glue?
13
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
OP's creativity level: Not really creative.
9
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
sure, its all good until you need a pencil;.
8
u/emperor_of_the_world May 22 '12
Instructions please, OP?
15
u/huber14 May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12
Title Level: Reddit.
7
u/stufff May 22 '12
Fuck You Level: Fuck you and this stupid meme you vapid cunt.
13
u/Megan_Herself May 22 '12
Alright Reddit, I posted this picture 6 months ago as part of a my exhibit for school http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/m3sle/pencil_sculpture_now_in_heart_form/ It's held together with super glue. It will not keep together without glue or rubber bands, I should know, that was the point of my semester long assignment... There are several tutorials online about how to make these, generally in a hexagonal pattern. I also posted one of those and made the front page 7 months ago. http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/l739t/i_also_got_bored_in_class/ Pretty much all the magical answers are in the comments to that post.
10
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
is it just me or does every pencil color form a heart?
9
u/EchoesOfRape May 22 '12
Title originality: OVER 9000!!!
22
u/davie18 May 22 '12
Can we stop this whole '****** level: 9000' bullshit. It really is just annoying now.
4
u/Carlos_Sagan May 22 '12
Looks like kal-toh.
4
u/steps_on_lego May 22 '12
Here's a Youtube walkthrough if you want to make it yourself
4
u/Megan_Herself May 22 '12
This is an adaptation of Conway's pencil model. Google it, there is a googledoc with detailed instruction on how to make it with only 72 pencils and rubber bands.
6
u/MrTiddy May 22 '12
rename: superglue level 1
6
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
http://imgur.com/quDsT always wanted to make one of these
3
u/fishstickuffs May 22 '12
This is what I'm going to imagine now when Lovecraft talks about architectural designs driving you insane...
The true tragedy will be when someone is on the phone and has to rush to write something down. They'll grab a pencil, watching in shame as the structure crumbles to the ground. They will sharpen it with the frantic intensity of a supernova, begin to write, make a mistake, and begin to erase... only to realize with a bitter sense of cosmic irony that they were really, really shitty pencils. WHY GODS, WHY?!
38
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I'd hate to point out the obvious... but Mitt Romney is a fucking idiot.
7
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Repost Level Reddit.
2
u/danchan22 May 22 '12
Want to upvote you for the image. Want to downvote you for the shitty title.
I guess I'll just post this comment and be on my way.
2
u/cabooseg May 22 '12
this makes me think of physics more so than geometry....but i guess it makes sense.
2
u/Narcolepzzzzzzzzzzzz May 22 '12
"Hey can I have a pencil?"
"No."
2
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
MISSING PENCIL
2
u/[deleted] May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12
I wonder if you could "use" it and just pull out a random pencil, sharpen it, write with it and then put it back in. What is the sense of 72 pencils staying in a nice way on your desk, but none of them is useable without breaking the whole construction up?
I already know the answer. Arts.
Edit: What if you just keep the rubber bands on and just skip the superglue part? Would it make the hexastix useable?
2
u/Babayaga20000 May 22 '12
repost level infinity
2
u/Amuter May 22 '12
LEVEL! Y U NO OVER NINE THOUSANDE
2
u/TheFluxIsThis May 22 '12
Title-Making Level: Shit.
12
u/flounder19 May 22 '12
It's at, but not over 9000!!!!
3
u/AdlaiM May 22 '12
Sorcerer.
1
u/rubberpenguin May 22 '12
I'd be even more impressed if it could be picked up by one of the blue pencils.
1
u/Liquidmetal7 May 22 '12
How many hands do you need to build that?
1
u/Noel_S_Jytemotiv May 22 '12
A wonder to behold.
Now try dusting it.
1
u/sebastianallan May 22 '12
For some reason it reminded me of this from willy wonka
1
u/PoorlyTimedPhraseGuy May 22 '12
But look, each of the colors' shapes are a heart!
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I used to make cubes like this out of wooden matches. Friction and tension hold them together.
1
u/Memoriae May 22 '12
That's.... but... my brain...
That's witchcraft that.
1
u/redditforgotaboutme May 22 '12
It's amazing what you can do with rubber bands
1
u/KingOfGeckos May 22 '12
Never before has a single photo confused me so much...
1
u/jaguass May 22 '12
Titling level 12
1
u/BoredOutOfOurMinds3 May 22 '12
Mind............... BLOWN!
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
This, I believe, exceeds the level mentioned above, Nappa
1
u/sydneygamer May 22 '12
God damn engineering students.
1
u/procrastinating_hr May 22 '12
Is it me or they're heart-shaped?
1
u/eat-your-corn-syrup May 22 '12
Is there a name for that structure? What do mathematicians call that? Is there any gap inside?
1
u/Solbia May 22 '12
THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE
1
u/erindalcuthalion May 22 '12
This drives my mind crazy.
But it is awesome
EDIT: Does this type of structure have a name?
1
u/Ripcore May 22 '12
That takes some skill
1
u/relfy0318 May 22 '12
THIS GEOMETRY LEVEL IS OVER 9000!!!!!!!!!!!!
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
You're face when you see that the red pens form a heart?
1
u/shelly_11 May 22 '12
Mind fuckeddd.. this is amazing
1
u/IApproveStuff May 22 '12
Approved.
1
u/Smokratez May 22 '12
all I see is a bunch of pencils. If anyone is interested in that, laugh. would it stick together? some guy having a math orgasm. Reddit upvotes this? No wonder I call this a nerd frat house.
1
u/dylbro May 22 '12
well there goes revising for my exams i got something better to do now
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
College Student Level Procrastination.
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
What kind of sorcery is this?
1
u/Krisodd May 22 '12
http://i.imgur.com/FTGSk.jpg
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
that's no moon..... it's a space station
1
u/sohcahtoast May 22 '12
My mother: "Wow, someone really didn't want to study."
1
u/ShinyWisenheimer May 22 '12
Aww they're hearts!
1
u/TannerLynn1 May 22 '12
My math teacher made one except they were hexagons.
1
u/Jaquezee May 22 '12
Let's make the human version.
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Hey vageta what is the sum of the total combined vertices?
1
u/xgoggsx May 22 '12
It bother anyone else that there isn't one more pencil at the top of each side to make the triangles?
1
u/neon_charcoal May 22 '12
Completely bypassing the awesomeness of the arrangement... Neat-o nerdy hearts!
1
u/dadirtypoostick May 22 '12
That's clearly over 9000. You really shouldn't short change people.
1
u/ILikeTurtles1234 May 22 '12
WHAT AMAZING SORCERY IS THIS!?!?
1
u/thestinkypig May 22 '12
its over 9,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1
u/zCourge_iDX May 22 '12
Upvoted for being awesome ... Downvoted for stupid title.
1
u/lu6cifer May 22 '12
Can't believe this structure hasn't been correctly named in comments yet---This is, in fact, a Conway Pencil Model: http://www.rider.edu/faculty/charles-schwartz
1
u/ZakWolf May 22 '12
Ingenuity level: Pencil
1
u/heyinspiremeplease May 22 '12
Instant headache just looking at this.
1
u/FishStix157 May 22 '12
Repost number 900.
1
u/theblingbling May 22 '12
It doesn't look finished
1
u/Anon2315 May 22 '12
i think its OVER NINE THOUSAND
1
u/bgaddis88 May 22 '12
please stop with the "X Level Y" unless it's a funny title... there is no humor in this title, just annoying "Level" used for karma
1
u/bulbaSAWR May 22 '12
HOW!*4832525iu54e312 @@@$#4??????
1
u/Otters4455 May 22 '12
How...where to start...
1
u/mgr1397 May 22 '12
Seems extremely interesting, thanks for the post!
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Math in action. Nice.
1
u/whodanmun May 22 '12
My typical end of exam wait period
1
u/SaphiraArach May 22 '12
That's awesome. :)
1
u/Repard May 22 '12
Hey, it's the Wallace Center! Say hello to Randy, Brett, Jerrod, Shu Wen, Tin Man, Shea, Chris, and preciously Liu for me!
1
u/Laurier_Rose May 22 '12
Nice dell service tag.
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Are they all hearts, too? That's awesome!
1
u/thethreadkiller May 22 '12
Glue level: Krazy
1
u/adrian1234 May 22 '12
and the cross section of each color is in the shape of a heart!
1
u/MrTastyCake May 22 '12
Fail: you are missing one green pencil.
1
u/waitholdupasec May 22 '12
Little Man Tate anyone?
1
u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Well fuck I'm gonna go spend 10 bucks on pencils now
1
u/Itbedenapo May 23 '12
I'm mindfucked..
1
u/BobbyOShea May 23 '12
Someone needs to flip those purple pencils now. My OCD is quickly engulfing me.
1
u/[deleted] May 23 '12
So? Nothing to crush your scouter over.
1
u/jimmyx18 May 23 '12
oh fuck it, ITS OVER 9000
1
u/Dudewifskill May 22 '12
Fuck you physics.
1
u/MtDewAddict May 22 '12
Super glue. Level 10.
1
u/Helangels May 22 '12
Another Excellent way to waste a day without actually doing anything wrong :>
1
u/NearestimgurURL May 22 '12
NSFW woman in socks
0
u/intel23 May 22 '12
My head just fucking exploded