Do nothing machine, Trammel of Archimedes - part 1 /// Homemade Science with Bruce Yeany

Do nothing machine, at least that's what my dad used to call them. It is actually a Trammel of Archimedes or an ellipsograph. It is a lever that switches back and forth from a first class lever to a 2nd class lever. In doing so it is able to trace out ellipses on the handle. It is an interesting piece that shows how circular motion consists of two sinusoidal oscillations. On the practical side it has commonly been used for drawing out ovals for picture frames.