We will learn to fold and assemble the enigmatic Five Intersecting Tetrahedra model using dollar bills. The individual units are easy to fold, but weaving the model together correctly can be quite difficult. We will use some simple techniques to make assembly a little easier. This session will teach how to fold the units. We will fold about 5 units, then students will need to fold the other 25 units prior to the second session, which will teach the assembly.
- This will likely take longer than the completed class time to complete.
- This uses non-square paper: Thirty US Dollars or thirty 1:3 units
- This is a modular/composite requiring 10 sheets.
- New dollar bills are harder to find post-pandemic as they are not available to buy from the Federal Reserve any more. Sometimes you can get new bills from your local bank. If not, I find that I get about 30 usable bills out of 100 when I ask for ones from the bank. You can add body to less desirable bills by wetting them down with a little methylcellulose and allowing them to dry. This makes them crisper and better able to hold a fold. Worn or thin bills will be too difficult to use and are not recommended.
Class participants should bring 30 crisp dollar bills to fold this version of the model.
As an alternative, you may also bring 30 1:3 units. These can be made easily by dividing 1 sheet of origami paper into three equal 1:3 rectangles. It will take 10 sheets of paper to make 30 units. A good alternative to dollar bills is 75% cotton 25% linen paper which mimics the properties of paper money fairly well for our purposes.
We will also use colored masking tape as a handy marker and place holder. This will be provided to the class.
A chopstick, pencil, or other long, pointed object will also be needed. This is used to complete the lock on the hard to reach vertices.