Word: basketing
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...large glass cases on the third floor, a small double basket of wicker work is suspended by an ordinary piece of copper wire from the top of the case. The wire is fastened to a nail which, if we disregard the aid of the occult sciences, can be found to possess no unusual qualities...
...basket turns; slowly but steadily, with the measured pace of an ancient pendulum. Half way round to the right, then, back a full turn to the left, a never ceasing motion. Visitors that it is bound to slow up and finally watch it with fascination, expecting stop, but the basket continues to swing, just as it has done for the last six months...
...basket itself is a piece of native work from Borneo which the Museum received last October. It was hung, with many similar objects, in the Pacific Islands room of the Museum for exhibition. Its turning motion was noted immediately and at first thought to be merely the result of the impetus caused by its installation. The strange turning continued, however, and gradually drew the attention of an increasing number of scholars and professors...
Although several theories about the cause of this phenomenon have been formulated none are entirely satisfactory, and the turning basket still remains a mystery in the minds of most of those who have observed...
Another more ingenius and plausible theory is that the movement of the basket is due to vibration. The vibrations in this case are supposed to come from the Cambridge power paint, and the basket is assumed to be exactly at the vibration point. Its balance is so nice, moreover, that the slightest disturbance might conceivably keep it in motion. But even this theory, exemplifying as it does the most intricate reaches of modern science, strains the credulity of the ignorant layman...