Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.

Looks like the final product, but is not functional.

Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.

A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.

The oloid is an intriguing and widely unknown geometric shape with amazing mathematical and aesthetic properties. It was discovered in 1929 by German sculptor, inventor and mathematician Paul Schatz.

From art to toy, from math to joy...

A desktop sculpture that brings art, science, beauty and technology together in a single piece of solid metal. Perfect for thinkers, makers, visionaries, learners, teachers, and even for children.

Its hypnotic motion and flawless-smooth texture make it a great tool for stress-relief and concentration. A unique object that unleashes creative thinking and mindfulness.

UNLOCKED AT $1,000,000

The Black Oxide Oloid.

The oloid is a striking, elegant piece that looks beautiful in your desk. Its fascinating shape is the perfect conversation starter.

What is so special about the oloid?

Although its shape is curved, it moves in a perfect straight line.

Although its shape is not round, it rolls.

It has sharp edges, but its motion is gentle and smooth.

While it rolls, every single point of its surface touches the ground.

Its surface area is identical to a sphere of the same radius.

It's surface is developable, meaning it can constructed from a flat sheet.

It has incredible functional properties; the oloid shape can be used for water treatment, as a propeller in navigation, or as stirrer in biotechnology.

Made from liquid metal

We use a precision casting method to ensure every piece has the mathematical perfection of the oloid.

First, we create perfect wax oloids out of a precisely machined aluminum mold. These wax shapes are used for the casting process.

The wax shapes are dipped in different ceramic materials and melted in a furnace at 500º C. Then, molten metal is poured into the ceramic molds, which need to get destroyed afterwards to reveal the metal pieces.

The mysterious shape

If the distance of two centers of disk is equal to the radius, then the convex hull produces another figure that rolls smoothly and is known as the oloid. (Schatz 1975).

Due to his art studies and his discussion of questions relating to space and the zodiac, Paul Schatz discovered in 1929 that the Platonic solids could be inverted. In particular the Invertible Cube, elaborated in accordance with the respective laws, and its specific, rhythmic mobility were to become the basis upon which Paul Schatz was to build his Oloid.

The surface of the oloid is a developable surface, meaning that patches of the surface can be flattened into a plane. While rolling, it develops its entire surface: every point of the surface of the oloid touches the plane on which it is rolling, at some point during the rolling movement.

Unlike most axial symmetric objects (cylinder, sphere etc.), while rolling on a flat surface, its center of mass performs a meander motion rather than a linear one. In each rolling cycle, the distance between the oloid's center of mass and the rolling surface has two minima and two maxima.

Rewards

*To order multiple Oloids, just select the reward you want and increase the reward amount by multiplying the reward cost by the number of Oloids you want.

Specs

Reward Upgrades and Add-Ons Guide