What does a harmonograph do?

A harmonograph is a mechanical apparatus that employs pendulums to create a geometric image. The drawings created typically are Lissajous curves or related drawings of greater complexity.

How do you make a harmonograph?

A Simple Harmonograph

1. Step 1: Get Supplies. Supplies.
2. Step 2: Find a Place to Mount the Strings. This step can be hard.
3. Step 3: Mount the Board. Now, tie your four strings up, and let them hang.
4. Step 4: Make the Pencil/pen Mount.
5. Step 5: Now Test Out Your Harmonograph!
6. 7 Comments.

Who invented the harmonograph?

The drawings it creates are called Lissajous curves. The harmonograph was invented in 1844 by Hugh Blackburn, a professor of mathematics at the University of Glasgow. The harmonograph used to create the images in this exhibit employs three pendulums to control the movement of a pen relative to a drawing surface.

Is a pendulum?

A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. When released, the restoring force acting on the pendulum’s mass causes it to oscillate about the equilibrium position, swinging back and forth. The time for one complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing, is called the period.

What kind of pendulum does a harmonograph use?

The harmonograph in the image above uses three pendulums, each of which can be locked in place, set up to swing in straight lines (1-dimensionally) or in circles (2-dimensionally.) This gives it the unique ability to produce an incredible range of images.

How does a harmonograph work to create a drawing?

Harmonographs create drawings by moving the pen over a piece of paper that may or may not itself be moving. The pendulums driving all this motion move in smaller and smaller circles as drag dissipates their energy. More weight on the end of the pendulums means more energy can be stored and they will swing longer.

When did the first harmonograph first come out?

Regrettably, the orientation of the picture above is such that the right arm and pendulum appear on the left. Brief History: Harmonographs first started showing up in the mid 1800s and reached their peak of popularity around 1890.

How do you make a rotary harmonograph pen holder?

Bend the nail back and forth a little in the balsa to allow the the arm to rotate smoothly and move up and down slightly. The nail hole will slowly loosen further during use. To make a simple pen-holder, drill a 1/2″ hole on the end of one arm, and cut about 4″ down the center of the arm to make a clothes-pin like device.