Reinventing the Wheel
Information wheels, or volvelles, have been ingeniously used since the fourteenth century to measure, predict, and calculate everything from time to recipes. Reinventing the Wheel dives into the history and variety of these fascinating artifacts, showcasing their playful yet practical applications across centuries. Readers will discover everything from circular slide rules for math to Captain Marvel phonetic decoders, nuclear blast calculators, gestational planners, and even vintage recipe selectors (featuring dishes like "Creamed Oysters and Celery").
Beyond their novelty, these wheels are relevant today as an early form of interactive design, demonstrating how simple, rotating mechanisms can distill complex information in a hands-on, accessible way. This book explores the incredible range and enduring utility of volvelles, celebrating their legacy as both charming curiosities and pioneers of interactivity.
Information wheels, or volvelles, have been ingeniously used since the fourteenth century to measure, predict, and calculate everything from time to recipes. Reinventing the Wheel dives into the history and variety of these fascinating artifacts, showcasing their playful yet practical applications across centuries. Readers will discover everything from circular slide rules for math to Captain Marvel phonetic decoders, nuclear blast calculators, gestational planners, and even vintage recipe selectors (featuring dishes like "Creamed Oysters and Celery").
Beyond their novelty, these wheels are relevant today as an early form of interactive design, demonstrating how simple, rotating mechanisms can distill complex information in a hands-on, accessible way. This book explores the incredible range and enduring utility of volvelles, celebrating their legacy as both charming curiosities and pioneers of interactivity.
Information wheels, or volvelles, have been ingeniously used since the fourteenth century to measure, predict, and calculate everything from time to recipes. Reinventing the Wheel dives into the history and variety of these fascinating artifacts, showcasing their playful yet practical applications across centuries. Readers will discover everything from circular slide rules for math to Captain Marvel phonetic decoders, nuclear blast calculators, gestational planners, and even vintage recipe selectors (featuring dishes like "Creamed Oysters and Celery").
Beyond their novelty, these wheels are relevant today as an early form of interactive design, demonstrating how simple, rotating mechanisms can distill complex information in a hands-on, accessible way. This book explores the incredible range and enduring utility of volvelles, celebrating their legacy as both charming curiosities and pioneers of interactivity.
