Impossible Fold

Contact Davide to obtain one of his amazing sculptures:

Get his new book here: BUY NOW: Impossibilia Book

Click here to see other items in my collection of Impossible Objects

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Fold: one more work of art by @dp.fumagalli. This standard card was cut (but not cut apart) and somehow folded back on itself. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the fold was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). With thanks to Davide Fumagalli (aka the Impossible Maker) for this addition to my collection. 

Impossible Links Pendant 

Get this unique pendant here:

From PUZZLAB: BUY NOW: Tri-Wooden Pendant

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Links: three rings, each made of an exotic hardwood, are interlinked and encircled by a fourth solid wood ring in this curious and expertly crafted necklace pendant. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the pendant was produced (I do not know the secrets of this artist) and my close examination with a magnifying glass could not discern any seams or glue joints. 

Impossible Bottle with Pinecone

Contact Davide to obtain one of his amazing sculptures:

Get his new book here: BUY NOW: Impossibilia Book

Click here to see other items in my collection of Impossible Objects

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Bottle with Pinecone: another work of art by @dp.fumagalli was created with clever craftwork. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the bottle was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the bottle was never cut or altered in anyway, and objects in the bottle, somehow, went through its narrow neck. With thanks to Davide Fumagalli (aka the Impossible Maker) for this addition to my collection. 


Impossible Card Case

Get this fun card case here and support this amazing museum:

From the MoMath Store: BUY NOW: Rollover Card Case

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Card Case: this business card carrier has a special double hinge that allows it to be opened from either side, and transforms from stripes of white and silver to black and silver. I use this to carry @physicsfun bling diffractive stickers. Sometimes called a magic or flip case, the ribbon construction is similar to the famous Jacob’s Ladder toy I’ve featured and dscribed. 

Doubly Impossible Bottle

Each constructed by hand, each a work of art-  get a personalized bottle here:

From The Bottleologist website: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottle with Frame

From his Etsy store: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottles

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Doubly Impossible Bottle: the newest seemingly impossible object in my collection from craftsman/artist Grant Wicks @thebottleologist. An “impossible nail” object was somehow assembled within a Fannys Bay Whisky bottle- and personalized with my logo too! The puzzle aspect is to consider how the bottle was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the bottle was never cut or altered in anyway, and it was not somehow formed around the objects inside. 


Impossible Threads

Available here:

From Crux: BUY NOW: Impossible Threads 

Impossible Threads: a classic project for learning machinist skills on a metal lathe where threads are made in the middle of a rod with solid ends- how then where the nuts placed on the threads? The ends are indeed the same piece of metal and where never detached. Swipe to reveal the method that takes advantage of how precisely metal can be machined. 

"Impossible" Domino

Get the 3D print files here:

From Cults3D.com: Download Now: Impossible Domino

This video from The Action Lab has a good decription of rhe physics. 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

“Impossible” Domino: a pair of specially engineered domino type objects where the right domino knocks over the left one, but then stands back up! When seen in slow motion the process becomes more clear. The main factor here is that the center of mass of the left domino is higher than that of the right one, giving it much more potential energy so when the left one topples over it can transfer some energy back to the right one. Created by the folks at viralvideolab and 3D printed by my friend Roger Key (thanks!)

Impossible Trapped 8-Ball

Get this amazing object here:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Trapped 8-Ball

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Trapped 8-Ball: one more addition to my “impossible object”collection- a solid wooden frame contains an 8-ball which is too large to fit through any of the holes. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the ball was somehow inserted (as usual I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the frame was fabricated from a single piece of wood, and once made, never cut or glued in anyway. A creation by artist/maker Troy Hawkins. 

 

 

 


Impossible Bottle with Arrow

Get an impossibe object from this artist here:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottles and Objects

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Bottle with Arrow Sculpture Puzzle: a new seemingly impossible object in my collection- Created with clever engineering, this “impossible” syrup bottle contains a wooden arrow that should not fit through its neck. The wood of the arrow is notably one uncut piece, and yet a metal washer is also somehow trapped on the shaft of the arrow. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the bottle was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the bottle was never cut or altered in anyway, and it was not somehow formed around the objects. This bottle by Brad Byers is an expertly crated example of the impossible object genre.

Impossible Frame in Bottle

Each constructed by hand, each a work of art-  get a personalized bottle here:

From The Bottleologist website: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottle with Frame

From his Etsy store: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottles

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Frame in Bottle: another seemingly impossible object in my collection from craftsman/artist Grant Wicks AKA the Bottleologist. A framed photo complete with all hardware somehow assembled within a Fannys Bay Whisky bottle- a uniquely square bottle. More- the photo is a recursive Droste Effect image of the bottle itself. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the bottle was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the bottle was never cut or altered in anyway, and it was not somehow formed around the frame. 

Impossible Braid 

Get a kit and make mystery braid braclets here:

From Amazon: BUY NOW: Impossible Braid Bracelet

Here is a great video on how to make the mystery braid

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

See other Impossible Objects in my collection. 

Mystery Braid: challenge- how can three strands be braided if both sets of ends are connected? A favorite in my collection of “impossible objects”, this leather key fob is braided from a single piece of leather, constructed by making two parallel slits but not cutting the ends. The solution (demonstrated here with red felt) is well known to those in the field of leatherwork- due to a twist of topology it’s possible to make this braid if the number of left strand over right crossings equals the times the right strand crosses over the left. Four strands braided this way is not mathematically possible, but 3, 5, or any odd number can be done! 

 

 

 


Impossible Pipe Elbows

Similar version currently avaiiable here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Impossible Pipe Elbows

Many other types of impossible objects are avialable- see these links and videos: Impossible Objects

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Pipe Elbows: made from standard pipe fittings held together only by their threads. No glue of any kind was used in its making. Design inspired by puzzle maker and artist Saul Bobroff.

Impossible Bottle with Corkscrew

Contact Davide to obtain one of his amazing sculptures:

Get his new book here: BUY NOW: Impossibilia Book

Click here to see other items in my collection of Impossible Objects

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Bottle with Corkscrew: this beautiful work of art by @dp.fumagalli was created with clever engineering and expert craftwork. I love everything about this sculpture- from the inverted corkscrew theme to the shape of the bottle- and the artist’s delightful logo (an optical illusion- swipe for details). The puzzle aspect is to consider how the bottle was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the bottle was never cut or altered in anyway, and everything in the bottle, somehow, went through its narrow neck. With special thanks to Davide Fumagalli (aka the Impossible Maker) for this wonderful addition to my collection.

Impossible Caged Golf Ball 

Some nice versions of this impossible object available here:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Golf Ball in Wood Cage

See more of these thought puzzles in my collection here: Impossible Objects

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Caged Golf Ball: Here a regular off-the-shelf golf ball is somehow trapped within a cage made from a solid piece of hardwood walnut. Neither the ball nor the wood were cut or glued in the fabrication process. The puzzle aspect is to consider how this object was produced (I have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist).


Impossible Jar with Golf Ball

Get this "impossible" jar and other amazing things from this shop:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Impossible Jar & Golf Ball

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Jar with Golf Ball: a regular off the shelf golf ball somehow trapped within a standard glass jar. Neither the ball nor the jar were cut or glued in the fabrication process. The puzzle aspect is to consider how this object was produced (again, I have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). This incredible piece was made by craftsman and artist Nathan Nickerson, and comes with the golf tee display stand (a nice touch!)

Impossible Dovetail

Inexpensive versions of this "impossible box" like that in the video avaiable here:

From Amazon: BUY NOW: Impossible Box Puzzle

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Dovetail: this impossible object is pretty common, but it is a classic, and included in my collection. If one assumes a regular dovetail joint then this construction would indeed seem impossible without cutting and gluing, but what one sees from the sides makes for misleading assumptions as this box opens easily. Swipe for reveal once you’ve thought about about possible constructions. 

Impossible Arrow

One of many creative illusions and curiosities of Victoria Skye. See her work here:

Visit Now: Victoria's Illusion Art

Click here for to explore more "impossible objects" 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Impossible Arrow: an arrow made of wood through the center of standard steel hex nut. The arrow was carved and somehow placed through the nut- neither the wood nor the steel nut was cut or glued to produce this object. Not impossible, but creating this does depend on the use of some obscure physical properties of wood (similar to the impossible nail sculpture).