Remember the Spirograph?

July 11, 2005 7:15 AM

Remember the Spirograph?

I've been looking around for a software version of it, but have only managed to find some applets...
Are there any stand-alone versions that allow me to save my creations?

posted by lorbus to media & arts (13 comments total)

Sorry for the double question!
posted by lorbus at 7:17 AM on July 11, 2005

Sorry I can't help you with a software version, but just wanted to say that was my absolute favorite toy when I was a kid!
posted by hollygoheavy at 7:29 AM on July 11, 2005

The mathematical term for it is hypotrochoid, so perhaps that will help you search. I did a quick google search and came across The Amazing Spiro Applet.
posted by geeky at 8:01 AM on July 11, 2005

Download MacSpirographic (runs in Classic environment). I've only played with it once, because without the actual pens on paper running around the jigs, it's only fun for about 2 minutes.
posted by planetkyoto at 8:19 AM on July 11, 2005

[fixed post]
posted by jessamyn at 8:32 AM on July 11, 2005

Not sure about online, but you can find a giant Spirograph at the Exploratorium science museum in the Palace of Fine Arts near the Golden Gate Bridge, SF.
posted by Shane at 8:53 AM on July 11, 2005

hypotrochoid is only half of the possibilities. Compare epitrochoid.
posted by plinth at 9:58 AM on July 11, 2005

From the "Radioactive Man" Simpsons episode:

Dr. S: "Wait! Did you know that there's a direct correlation between the decline of Spirograph and the rise in gang activity? Think about it."
Bart: "I will."
Dr. S: "No, you won't."
posted by 445supermag at 12:48 PM on July 11, 2005

Thanks all for the links...
445supermag, that was indeed funny!
posted by lorbus at 9:07 AM on July 12, 2005

svg image - you may need a plugin from adobe or a better browser (the next firefox, or the current alpha releases)

i just wrote this. i'm having trouble updating my web site, but hopefully it will load here. unfortunately most browsers don't display svg.

hmmm. preview doesn't look very hopeful. what i'm trying to post is:

<object type="image/svg+xml" data="spiro.svg" width="600" height="300"> ...</object>
posted by andrew cooke at 9:39 AM on July 16, 2005

oh rats. maybe it is working. i had the url wrong. trying again...

still failed?
posted by andrew cooke at 9:45 AM on July 16, 2005

ah well. sorry about that. seems my provider is even more hosed than i thought. it's possible the above will work once the provider is fixed.
posted by andrew cooke at 9:55 AM on July 16, 2005

ok, so object tags are dropped. let's try embed...



and if that fails, just go here (self link).
posted by andrew cooke at 2:43 PM on July 17, 2005