# What is this thing? \[Strange grid ball\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 12, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989 "2013-01-12T20:37:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/321 "2013-01-21T14:14:02Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Clearly said. So clearly, in fact, that it is reminding me of a principle laid out by archaeologists: shouldn’t we be assuming it is some sort of religious artifact as our null hypothesis? Are there any skeletal remains near it? I was just going to make the same observation. I took several archaeology classes (way back in the 20th century) and one of my professors was very adamant about the fallacy of assigning religious significance to any difficult-to-categorize artifact. She considered it to be the ‘easy way out’, and pointed to the findings of several earlier archaeologists who had misidentified items because of their own cultural prejudices. We may well be doing the same when we see something complex and inexplicable and then assume since we can’t immediately categorize it that it must be ‘Art’. I think this might to be a form of [apophenia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apophenia). ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/322 "2013-01-21T14:54:13Z")
The first 45 sec. to a minute of this classic film seem to encapsulate this conversation: [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcn9Scn9lec) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/323 "2013-01-21T15:18:18Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > My take is that the top is a single piece, and the flanges are cast into it. Take a look at photo #4 in post #288 - you can see they’re separate segments just pushed together like pie slices. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/324 "2013-01-21T15:25:13Z")
All of the pieces (with the exception of the pipe mounting plates and possibly the end stops) look like they could fit through the bore of the pipe/diameter of the mounting plate hole. So this could be a demonstration/solution of a problem where the parts to build something have to be delivered from the inside. If only the flanges and bolts had been on the inside, it could have been a demonstation of a system for supporting tunnels (except that has already been invented quite a while ago) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/325 "2013-01-21T16:11:15Z")
If this thing is made of plastic (which I doubt), it’s definitely art. Yes, there are some purposes for which a scientific instrument would be made out of plastic, but in all of those cases, you would absolutely not coat it to make it look like metal. That would give you all of the drawbacks of metal that you’re trying to avoid, but without any of the benefits: You’d be more likely to have something made out of metal coated in plastic. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/326 "2013-01-21T16:34:57Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > All of the pieces (with the exception of the pipe mounting plates and possibly the end stops) look like they could fit through the bore of the pipe/diameter of the mounting plate hole. > > So this could be a demonstration/solution of a problem where the parts to build something have to be delivered from the inside. > > If only the flanges and bolts had been on the inside, it could have been a demonstation of a system for supporting tunnels (except that has already been invented quite a while ago) This is a very pleasing insight. Yes, if only the bolts had been on the inside, the clue might have been irresistable. As it is, it makes me wonder whether there arise situations wherein the parts have to be delivered from the inside, but it is permissible to work on them from the outside. I don’t come up with any, though. I still am happy with the conclusion that this is art, but feel compelled to express what a pleasing insight you post. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/327 "2013-01-21T16:38:59Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > All of the pieces (with the exception of the pipe mounting plates and possibly the end stops) look like they could fit through the bore of the pipe/diameter of the mounting plate hole. > > So this could be a demonstration/solution of a problem where the parts to build something have to be delivered from the inside. > > If only the flanges and bolts had been on the inside, it could have been a demonstation of a system for supporting tunnels (except that has already been invented quite a while ago) I don’t think I’ve seen this done since Johnny Carson played the great Carsoni, and foretold the answers before the questions were revealed. Here’s the question to the answer people have been looking at. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/328 "2013-01-21T17:19:30Z")
> [@CC](#): > > I don’t think I’ve seen this done since Johnny Carson played the great Carsoni, and foretold the answers before the questions were revealed. Here’s the question to the answer people have been looking at. Carnac. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/329 "2013-01-21T17:39:57Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > Carnac. Of course! :smack: I knew Carsoni was wrong, but couldn’t quite find Carnac in memory. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/330 "2013-01-21T17:41:58Z")
Didn’t open the right envelope. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/331 "2013-01-21T18:03:41Z")
Heck of a thread here. Great job fighting ignorance. Great job, **Nitro**. I wouldn’t bet that this was an art project _per se_, though. It looks more like decorative art from a much larger assemblage. The “pipes” look a lot like railings to me, for example. I’d guess this came off of something like a Planet Hollywood or a similar establishment that used a lot of mass-produced pieces to look impressive on first glance. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/332 "2013-01-21T18:15:05Z")
Because of the location (salvage yard on the campus where grad student art studios are located, accompanied by at least two other large abandoned metal sculptures), the final images of capped-off pipes and irregularly cast interior with open seams makes me think it is definitely a one-off art project - but even the Art department head has no idea who did it or when. It’s been there at least 3-4 and possibly 6 or more years. Long enough for the genius who spent 20-hour days casting a zillion small parts to be forgotten and now working for a web design company like all other art majors. 😃 I have also, um, opened discussions about acquiring it. My ideal would be to hide it just far enough back in my woods so that it’s glimpsed rather than seen from a half dozen angles. I may suspend it from cables to enhance the weirdity. I wonder what it would look like with a powerful halogen bulb in the center… ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/333 "2013-01-21T18:22:39Z")
> [@CC](#): > > The first 45 sec. to a minute of this classic film seem to encapsulate this conversation: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcn9Scn9lec](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcn9Scn9lec) You have to go all the way to 1:30 to get to “the material alone must be worth at least a hundred dollars.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/334 "2013-01-21T18:31:36Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > … > > I have also, um, opened discussions about acquiring it. My ideal would be to hide it just far enough back in my woods so that it’s glimpsed rather than seen from a half dozen angles. I may suspend it from cables to enhance the weirdity. I wonder what it would look like with a powerful halogen bulb in the center… This is priceless–no pun intended, but in light of this thread. Null hypothesis indeed! I have an exquisitely engraved counterfeit $1 bill I had intended to use in US credit for one dollar. But it is so good I’ll sell it to you for $5. (See the Gaddis novel _The Recognitions_ for more on this.) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/335 "2013-01-22T05:33:00Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > I have also, um, opened discussions about acquiring it. **My ideal would be to hide it just far enough back in my woods so that it’s glimpsed rather than seen from a half dozen angles. I may suspend it from cables to enhance the weirdity.** I wonder what it would look like with a powerful halogen bulb in the center… Or rig it up on your roof, like [this guy did with his old airplane (photo)](http://farm1.staticflickr.com/24/68057555_66b96ca585.jpg). (Seen in Easton, Ca., small community near Fresno.) ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/336 "2013-01-22T10:00:18Z")
So, still puzzling. A small observation. On the inside shot we see a row of small straps bolted across the equatorial tiles. You can see the heads of the bolts on the outside as well. If you look very closely, there are moulded markings in relief on all the tiles that correspond to the locations of these bolts. It looks as if the tiles have been moulded with a two part mould, and the mould has these markings in it. It may be that the markings were intended as guides, and that the maker intended to have these straps across every interface along a segment. No matter what they are odd. The markings appear even on some of the poorly cast tiles visible in the interior shot. These tiles, with a bit of inspection are indeed consistent with someone who was feeling their way with the casting process, and are simply under-filled moulds. I’m starting to come around to the idea that this was some sort of seriously misguided art project. It is harder and harder to come up with a practical use for something that was this poorly made. The entire thing could have been made with only about 20 patterns, and a very long time casting lots and lots of identical small items, drilling and bolting them. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/337 "2013-01-22T11:30:39Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > The markings appear even on some of the poorly cast tiles visible in the interior shot. These tiles, with a bit of inspection are indeed consistent with someone who was feeling their way with the casting process, and are simply under-filled moulds. Could be - or it could be that the tiles were made in batches by different people - some sort of collaboration exercise (i.e. can you independently make properly-toleranced components of a coherent whole) We’ve all overlooked the obvious, however: It’s a cooker for making giant spherical waffles ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/338 "2013-01-22T12:33:40Z")
The collaboration exercise is what I figured, in [post 293](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15919763&postcount=293). ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/339 "2013-01-22T12:59:24Z")
I guess collaboration exercises are something that have passed me by, especially at university level. I guess I could see a course teaching basic casting skills as part of an art/craft course and getting the entire class to cooperate over a single final thing, and everyone in the class making (and probably bolting into the whole) their own little contribution. Maybe one year a class made the sphere, and another year a class did the manifolds. And the next year everyone got bored with it and made something totally different. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989/340 "2013-01-22T13:38:53Z")
If everyone did their own piece, shouldn’t there be a way of identifying the pieces? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989.md?page=18)