|
In 1927 Buckminster Fuller was a man on the verge of suicide, despondent over the death of his child, and living
in poverty. He stopped himself from taking his own life, through finding a purpose for his life. His purpose was
a grand experiment, with himself as a guinea pig. He wanted to see, just how much one person could accomplish for all
of mankind, without government help, or great amounts of money.
He spent the rest of his life working to find solutions
for problems most people had not imagined existed.
B. Inventing Science of Geodesics
Bucky, as his friends called him, started with the most basic of human needs, shelter. Having observed
the problems inherent in standard building methods, (as opposed to the ease with which nature's structures are erected) and
the strength of natural structures, Fuller felt certain that he could perfect a better technique He was also aware that any
such method would have to be based upon spherical trigonometry. To build models, Bucky converted the small Long Island apartment
that his wife, Anne, had rented into a combination workshop and classroom where he studied and discussed his ideas with others.
Geo - Greek for earth, Desic - Divided
First models were spheres and sections of speres made of crisscrossed
curved material to form triangles
Took two years to come up with the math for the first large dome. (He
had no cumputers)
First large Geodesic Dome was built in Black Mountain College South
Dakota 50 ft. aluminum made from venetial blind strips. With the help of students he prepared the dome for September
assembly. The big day was dampened by a pouring rain. Nonetheless, Bucky and his team of assistants scurried around the field
that had been chosen as the site of the event, preparing the sections of their dome for final assembly while teachers and
students stood under umbrellas, watching in anticipation from a nearby hillside. When the critical moment arrived, the
final bolts were fastened and tension was applied to the structure, causing it to transform from a flat pile of components
into the world's first large geodesic dome. The spectators cheered, but their excitement lasted only an instant as the fragile
dome almost immediately sagged in upon itself and collapsed, ending the project. The man did not give up!!!!
|
 |
|
Do - It - Yourself cardboard Shelters free instructions
Model of a cut and clip cardboard dome
Domes as homes
Basic characteristics of a dome compared to standard house
1) Decreased surface area requires less building materials .
2) Exposure to cold in the winter and heat in the summer is decreased because, being spherical, there is the least surface
area per unit of volume per structure.
3) Concave interior creates a natural airflow that allows the hot or cool air to flow evenly throughout the dome with the
help of return air ducts.
4) Extreme wind turbulence is lessened because the winds that contribute to heat loss flow smoothly around the dome.
5) Domes act like a type of giant down-pointing headlight reflector and reflects and concentrates interior heat. This helps
prevent radiant heat loss.
6The net annual energy savings for a dome owner is 30% less than normal rectilinear homes according to the Oregon Dome
Co
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
