Wooden Differential

These past few months the Tinkering Studio has been home to the whimsical large scale sculpture by Bernie Lubell called ‘Party of the First Part’. Visitors to the museum can pedal a wooden bicycle and run on a wooden treadmill which turns cams and pulleys to make a dowel spin against a piece of sandpaper. Over the course of months or years the dowel will eventually be sanded down to the size of a toothpick. Although the sculpture is coming down this next Monday, Bernie has been tinkering with the relationship between the bicycle and treadmill up until the last minute. A few days ago he installed a wooden differential which splits the two power sources (people running or pedaling) into being able to independently spin the output (the turning dowel). Besides its mechanical usefulness, we think it’s also a beautiful contraption that adds another wonderful level to the popular sculpture. The toothpick carver will be up until Sunday, June 26th. Come down and check it out!