What Would Escher Do?

I love XKCD, and one particular cartoon has been preying on my mind for quite some time.

I decided to make it real.

_{(If you haven't realised by now, I'm making a real version of XKCD strip #88, "What Would Escher Do?".)}

Step 1: The Needings

You will need...

• A silicon wristband.
• A very sharp knife
• Gorilla Glue*
• Clear adhesive tape

You may also need something to decorate the band, but I'll leave that to your own imaginings.

_{*Before using Gorilla Glue, I tried this with super glue (failed) and welding with the heat of a soldering iron (failed).  If you find another method for sticking silicon bands together, please leave a comment about it.}

Comments

[knexpert1700]

This is called a 'Mobius Strip' discovered by two scieniss that I forgot the name of somewhere in the 1800's ( I think it was 1864 but I'm not sure :P ).

[knexpert1700]

This is called a 'Mobius Strip' discovered by two scientist that I forgot the name of somewhere in the 1800's ( I think it was 1864 but I'm not sure :P ).

[Kiteman]

(See the link in step 4...?)

[knexpert1700]

oh, I just read step 1 and 2 before (was busy studying on how to code HTMLs).

[ultimut cat]

i love that comic to :D

[KCTris95]

This is so cute! And so simple too!! I definitely want to make one!

[Kiteman]

Thank you!

[The Science Guy]

So simple yet so awesome!

[Kiteman]

Thank you.

[ac-dc]

Am I really reading an instructable about cutting a rubber band and taping and gluing it back together?

I can't put my finger on it but something is terribly wrong with the world.

[Kuhne]

+1 to this post

[-A-N-D-Y-]

[looks for the thumbs up button for this comment ;) but not even a like button]

[Kiteman]

Hey, just because you didn't think of it first...

_{(Can't really argue with nearly 4000 views and over 200 referrals...)}

[troud]

Nice application of mobius.

[Kiteman]

Thank you.

[julietecho]

Now that you have your mobius strip or band, slit the strip along its length. Then slit the band along its length again. The results are quite surprising.

[yellowcatt]

I saw your Kiteman shop. Looks very good but errr... shouldn't you have some kites for sale there?

[Kiteman]

Haha, Cafepress don't sell kites - maybe I'll get around to creating some kite images one day...

[bvdjskif8ds9]

(removed by author or community request)

[electfire]

It's not nice to spam....
Reported...

[Kiteman]

Thank you.

[electfire]

Not a problem, I dislike spammers... Though I have one question if someone posts a how-to on building a commercially available kit, is that considered spam, or is it only if the company is posting the 'ibles? I am wondering cause I have seen more of those types pop up, especially in the technology section.

[Kiteman]

It's only spam if the project originates from the manufacturer or retailer.

The projects I've seen have included improved or alternative instructions, or have taken the kit to another level, say by adding electronics to a basic plastic model.

[electfire]

I have two examples to further define my question...

http://www.instructables.com/id/ArduiNIX-Nixie-driver-shield-assembly/
This one the instructable user runs a website(s) selling these kits and wrote an 'ible on how to construct one of them.... Though everything is open-source.....

http://www.instructables.com/member/Engineering+shock/
This one seems to be a commercial site that posted a 'ible
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-digital-clock-kit-based-on-Atmel/
The 'ible seems (to me) to be more of a "product specs and how to use" than an actual "how to" Also the code isn't open-source... only a snipit of the code is shown...

[Kiteman]

Nixie:

As you say, all open-source. You could easily reproduce the project yourself, without buying the kit. Plus, the link to the site was clear, honest, and only appeared once.

Atmel:

Again, open source, potentially reproducible without paying the author, and again the link was clear and open (though the ible itself was quite poorly written - I would have liked to see much more detailed assembly instructions, with the full code attached in a file I could download - as it stands, I think that author has cost himself some business through poor presentation).

Neither author hid the commercial aspect of the projects, neither rubbed it in our faces. If they had simply posted images of the finished item, and linked back to their site to find the instructions, buy the kit etc, then I would have flagged them in a blink.

[electfire]

Ok, thanks for the clarification!

[hurten]

I love Escher and your idea. The only thing I would suggest as a Escher "twist" on the Mobius band would be to put "WW" on one end (side A of your cut band) and "ED" on the other end (side B of your cut band). This would put "WW" and "ED" on either side of the twist in your band. I look forward to making and proudly wearing my own "WWED" band; thank you for this instructable.

[rimar2000]

I always wondered what it means XKCD

[Kiteman]

http://xkcd.com/about/

[rimar2000]

THANKS!

[wilgubeast]

Y somebody translates them a español: http://es.xkcd.com/

[rimar2000]

Some instructables merecen ser translated to español, too!

[rocketsurgery]

Hey thanks for sharing, Kiteman! The Möbius strip has always fascinated me and I really love your take on how it can be used to accentuate or elevate the wristband message.

I love XKCD too!

Thanks again!

PS As a scientist and teacher, I thought you may enjoy a little Nick Kim - fellow Scientist and Sceptic (http://www.lab-initio.com).  Cartoons from his site are free to use for personal, non-profit, research, and educational purposes.  Science related are ordered here - a selection of his 'best' (to give you some idea of his humour), here.

[Kiteman]

Oh, Nearing Zero!

Yes, I love that, but I hadn't looked at the site for ages, thanks for reminding me of it!

[electfire]

Hey Kiteman! I also just discovered another profile that is a spammer (or spam-bot)
http://www.instructables.com/member/bfdslf9a/
It seems to me to be the same person (thing?)
The 'ible I found the spam on:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Giant-match-chair-La-Pucelle/
(I really am starting to get annoyed at spammers!)

[vulcan24]

XKCD is great ;P I thought the name came form there being no other available domain names

[cammers]

I like it.

[Kiteman]

Thank you.

[Jayefuu]

Like!

[Kiteman]

Thank!