The Algorithmic Beauty of Sea Shells (The Virtual Laboratory) |
 | Author: Hans Meinhardt
Creators: P. Prusinkiewicz, D.R. Fowler
Publisher: Springer
List Price: $79.95
Buy New: $59.75
as of 11/23/2009 08:57 CST details
You Save: $20.20 (25%)
New (18) Used (7) from $59.75
Seller: allnewbooks
Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 464503
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 4th ed.
Pages: 269
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.5
Dimensions (in): 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.8
ISBN: 3540921419
Dewey Decimal Number: 594
EAN: 9783540921417
ASIN: 3540921419
Publication Date: September 29, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The patterns on the shells of tropical sea snails are not only compellingly beautiful but also tell a tale of biological development. The decorative patterns are records of their own genesis, which follows laws like those of dune formation or the spread of a flu epidemic. Hans Meinhardt has analyzed the dynamical processes that form these patterns and retraced them faithfully in computer simulations. His book is exciting not only for the astonishing scientific knowledge it reveals but also for its fascinating pictures. An accompanying CD-ROM with the corresponding algorithms offers wide scope to those who wish to try their hand at simulating and varying the patterns.
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Customer Reviews:
Excellent reading January 5, 2006
G. KOKTSIDIS (Thessalonica, Greece)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've been collecting shells for many years but i never thought of the complexity and perfection of their patterns! This book describes in a simple way the mechanisms that produce the surface decorations of shells. It takes reader in a fascinating trip in a world of algorithmic shapes and colors!
Sea Shell Math June 2, 2002
David Bartlett (Cumberland, Rhode Island United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book describes, using a computer, The geometry involved in the building of seashells and in particular the surface features. It shows the how and why of surface decorations found on several species of Mollusks. This is probably the only book to treat this subject and do so extensively expertly and comprahensively.
very thought provoking and visually stimulating July 26, 2000
Jeeyoon Ahn (Seoul, South Korea)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
I came across this book at the Rhode Island School of Design library. As an artist I found it surprising that what I had considered to be just a beautiful pattern was actually an imprint of the pressure and movement of the waves upon the seashell. This insight was very thought provoking for me. Perhaps to biologists this is a normal and natural thing - but for an artist this kind of scientific approach with beautifully illustrated pages is a deeply moving experience. This book will definitely make you think twice about the objects that you take for granted - whether it's visually or scientifically. I strongly recommend this book for those who like intellectual challenges and who like to look at the world with fresh new eyes.
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