Play the Harmonograph

Adjust the pendulum frequencies, phases, and damping to create unique patterns. Toggle between full path and animated modes.

Doodle Settings

Pendulum 1 (x-axis)

Frequency 2.30

Phase 90

Amplitude 200

Damping 0.0050

Pendulum 2 (y-axis)

Frequency 3.00

Phase 0

Amplitude 200

Damping 0.0050

Pendulum 3 (z-rotation)

Frequency 0

Amplitude 0

Damping 0

Style

Line Thickness 1.0

Full Path Segments 50,000

Line Color

Background

A harmonograph is a mechanical device that uses swinging pendulums and linkages to draw curves on a page. By adjusting the frequency ratio between the pendulums, you can create Lissajous figures. Adding a pendulum that drives rotation of the page produces curves and patterns with even more complexity.

Explore Further

Wikipedia - Harmonograph ->
Wikipedia - Lissajous curve ->

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