The Ancient Art of Metrocard<sup>TM</sup> Puppetry

Sun, 09/18/2005 - 10:21 — deadprogrammer

It seems like humans will try to fold and rearrange just about anything. Paper, money, postcards. Some people make a living folding their members in a surprising manner. Others fold dollar bills. What chance did humble MetrocardTM stand from being turned into an art material?

A couple of days ago I found this MetrocardTM triacontahedron sitting abandoned on a subway staircase. I've seen these around in token clerk booths, but never up close before.

I managed to take it apart and put it together again, and the construction is rather ingenious. I'll try making a few of these together and post the instructions then.

Of course, other people have been doing this for a long time. Here's a guy who created purses, boxes, stars and pencil holders out of them. An entertainer that goes by the moniker Professor Puter has a whole load of tricks, such as metrocard shooter, star, bug etc. Here's a fine specimen of MetrocardTM art too. If you want to annoy your cubicle-mates even more than you already do - MetrocardTM clicker is the right project for you.

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Comments

Wed, 10/26/2005 - 17:52 — J Epstein (not verified)

I used the photos on your site as clues and have learned how to make these polyhedra out of Metrocards - THANKS!

The one thing that wasn't obvious from your photos which I'd like to point out is that it is possible to assemble the sixc Metrocards so that no corners or edges are seen - you need to ensure that the "tabs" at the ends of the Metrocards all are nested into "crotches" that are at the middle of the long side of the Metrocard.

(I hoep the verbal directions help anybody who became obsessed like me!)

I saw your blog entry on Makezine.com, FYI.

Best,

-j


Thu, 10/27/2005 - 03:15 — deadprogrammer

I never got around to make one - when I will, I'll post detailed instructions. The imperfections on the thing were introduced by me, from taking it apart and putting it together.

Glad I could be of help :)


Tue, 06/27/2006 - 08:58 — Columbia Guy (not verified)

Hey Thanks!

I managed to do it just by looking at the picture you posted. I was an awesome challange.

:)


Tue, 12/18/2007 - 00:21 — dM.nyc (not verified)

This may have been the work of the MTA booth attendant Luis at 110th St. in Manhattan. He is a genius of Metrogami, as witnessed here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmnyc/sets/72157594496928898/


Fri, 03/07/2008 - 02:59 — cloey (not verified)

Wow these are amazing!

I thought I'd let your readers know about a handy online calculator for dealing with uneven nyc metrocard balances. It's located at http://MetroCardCalculator.com


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