This has GOT to prove...SOMETHING!

Do this before clicking the link:

Grab a pencil and ruler and do this:

  1. Draw a 3 unit line, then turn right
  2. Draw a 1 unit line, then turn right
  3. Draw a 2 unit line, then turn left
  4. Draw a 1 unit line, then turn left
  5. Draw a 2 unit line, then turn right
  6. Repeat

When the instruction says “turn” it means 90° Seriously, do this. You will eventually start tracing over a previously drawn line and you can stop of course. The pattern will become obvious before you finish.

Okay, ick, I know, but nothing too surprising when you look at it.

But now here’s the spooky part. Do the exact same thing but replace 90° with 120°

Whoa! What the hell!

Okay, it doesn’t prove that Oswald had help, or that aliens built the pyramids… but talk about an amazing coincidence? How does someone discover something like this?
(really, doing this for yourself is worth the effort, but if you want to see what the big deal is without drawing all those lines click here)

These instructions worked long before either the Star of David or the swastika had any cultural meaning, so it’s not like they have some intrinsic meaning.

Just in case my Oswald/aliens comment was insufficient to counter my tongue-in-cheek title hyperbole: I know it doesn’t really prove (or mean) anything. The coincidence is surprising. I am amazed at its discovery. Just thought I’d share (being MPSIMS and all) :cool:

Fair enough. I wonder what happens at 135 degrees.

I tried 451° Now all I have are ashes.

Nice!

I’ve got more degrees than a thermometer.

This was in one of Martin Gardner’s Mathematical Games columns in Scientific American ages ago.