Balls in balls? (Full Version)

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ScienceBoy -> Balls in balls? (11/26/2006 3:55:27 PM)

This is .. a slightly odd question.. But I can't seem to find the answer.

You have perhaps come across these wee balls that have a second ball inside, which is always upright... (That is a transparant ball, with a second ball suspended in a low friction substance within it, such that the inner ball tends to remain upright regardless of the spin or orientation of the surface of the overall ball.)

Anybody know what they are technically (so to speak) known as?



cuddleheart50 -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/26/2006 4:16:17 PM)

wish I could help, but I have no idea.



RubberWitch -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/26/2006 4:40:54 PM)

The answer is to be found about 2/3rds of the way through "The Island of the Day Before" by Umberto eco, and there's a big section on them in "Lattitude, but I can't remember what they're called. I keep thinking Gyrospheres, but thats wrong



ScienceBoy -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/26/2006 5:02:15 PM)

Gyrospheres apparantly being a really rather unorthodox use of gyroscopes. [sm=whoa.gif]

I keep thinking suspension ball. But that just leads me to bondage enthusiasts!



sleazy -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/26/2006 5:02:44 PM)

It wouldnt be a gyroscope, that would rely on the inner ball being constantly spinning at high speed. I dont know what they are called, nor can I recall seeing one but i would imagine the centre ball is just heavier at the bottom to keep it upright.



ScienceBoy -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/26/2006 5:12:00 PM)

That's the principle, yah. They're not gyroscopes - just a ball with a weighted bottom, suspended in a ball filled with water/oil/whatever. (A fluid bearing, in fact)

Used to get them from the gift shop at science museums. (Although I can't find one anywhere online.)

I know how they work, I just want to know what you call the wretched things so I can find out a bit more about the principles involved.

ETA:

Fluid bearings. Still bugging me that I can't remember the name of the toy though..



siouxie -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/27/2006 12:47:14 AM)

ooh, i know exactly what you mean - still have one with a highly amusing eye pattern on it from my childhood kicking about somewhere. afraid i don't know what they're called though. be sure to post the answer when you find out. cheers!



Fitznicely -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/27/2006 2:02:55 AM)

weebles?



topcat -> RE: Balls in balls? (11/27/2006 7:19:46 AM)

you mean these?
 
http://www.natashascafe.com/html/balls.html
 
Or these?
http://www.sextoyparty.com/s5675.html



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