Mobius Strip

A Mobius strip is one of those interesting things for which there is little use other than starting an argument :-)

You need
- paper (ideally construction or other thick paper)
- scissors
- ruler

It should take about 10 minutes.

Step 1: Cut a strip off paper

Cut a reasonably straight, parallel strip of paper. I cut about 3/4"(~1.5cm) off the long edge of a piece of letter size (~A4) bristol board paper, which worked well.
It isn't important how wide the piece is, but you want to get the long edges reasonable parallel, especially at the ends so the widths line up for the next step.

Comments

[nutsandbolts_64]

FINALLY! I found a one-sided 3-dimensional representation of a 2-dimensional object!

[megziewoodles]

Awesome! If you make two mobius strips and stick them together at right angles and then cut each one up the middle you can make interlocking love hearts.

[The SYNer]

If you make two mobius strips and attach them at the edges you make a

KLIEN BOTTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klien_bottle

[Saturn V]

Thanks for the link! You made my head explode!

[gaby99]

i looked at the picture for like 5 seconds and BAM! my head exploded

[Saturn V]

Sounds painful.

[foxtrot4697]

same for me but first there was a ? mark over my head hitting me

[frank26080115]

since it can be twisted any odd number of times and be any length, who wants to make the world's largest one sided object? or did somebody do that already?

[berserk]

Actually, it can't be twisted just any number of times. If it's twisted more than once, you no longer have a mobius. For example, it would not act the same if you cut it in half lengthwise. Kinda freaky, I am glad I don't have to do the math for it.

[frank26080115]

"any >>odd<< number"

[berserk]

Hah! You got me there. You are right, of course, I had read it as the not so mathematical version of odd.

[shooter129]

Nevamind

[shooter129]

HELP!!!

[berserk]

Can you be more specific? I am only qualified for some kinds of help, but might be able to refer you to someone else for others ;-)

[shooter129]

this is confuzzling i dont get it it feels like my brain is bleeding

[aiden120000]

mmm choclate on one side vanlilla on the other!

[Vendigroth]

but both sides are the same side(s)! unless you want chocolate-y vanilla-y impossible

[aiden120000]

it was a refrence to the simpsons. in the epsiode where it went all 3d

[Vendigroth]

lol srry, didn't catch that one

[ODC]

I just created a user account to tell you all that Mobius strips arent as useless as you may think. They are used in many applications where a drive belt (from one pulley to another) is used. They are useful because they wear out each side more evenly than a normal belt. support the fair go for Mobius strips

[berserk]

That's a cool idea. I have never seen it happen. Do you have a picture or link?

[twisted]

This makes me happy. 1 sided shapes will one day rule the world.

[slyfox117]

10 minutes? just take a strip of paper, twist, tape. nice instructable though.

[uzerzero]

These are a great party conversation item, especially if someone at the party is high. They will be absolutely amazed at how this works. Great for laughs, also good for just simple amazement in sober people.

[Mr. Smart Kid]

what does it do

[berserk]

It doesn't do much, but what it does is not what you might expect. Check out Step 4, or the Wikipedia article it links to. Hard to describe, you sort of have to try it.

[crestind]

These are pretty neat. They supposedly represent the maximum number of wormholes from point A to B or something like that.

[Jezza Bear]

I love Mobius strips... now try this limerick A mathematician confided That a Möbius band is one-sided, And you'll get quite a laugh, If you cut one in half, For it stays in one piece when divided. See what happens when you cut it in half?!!!!! Now do it again but this time put TWO twists in it and then cut it in half....crazy. Welcome to the world of topology and Escher

[Mr.Devious]

Sigh.."Coming up next, how to fold an anarchist ring and kill yourself"

[bigpinecone]

THESE THINGS ROCK
i was at the mall once and the guy at the popcorn stand had 'em and cut one in half but it was still a ring =O

[trebuchet03]

ahh -- the classic riddle... "What has two edges and one side?" A Mobius of course :P

[berserk]

It has only one edge, though.

[trebuchet03]

slaps hand on head :P how did I F that one up :P