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The Cookie Through (smaller) Hole Topology Trick

In our “fun” section, yet technical. An extremely deceptive and counter intuitive trick. No gimmick nor exchange involved, only topology.

The challenge: how can a cookie can pass through a square hole, where the diameter of the cookie is even bigger than the diagonal of the square ?

See by yourself:

In fact, even on the video at slow speed, the topology reason is hard to see. And it is not a 3D, nor extendable material reason.

The perimeter of the square has been flatten to a flat hole, which has the width of x2 sides (so longer than the initial diagonal), like so:

Hole opening detail
Hole opening detail

Can this principle be used in product design or more possibly in product assembly ?

Topics covered: Topology, Deceptive, Counterintuitive, Dimensionality, Perimeter, Geometry, Square Hole, Cookie, Product Design, Product Assembly, Hole Opening, Non-extendable Material, Visualization, Challenge, Trick, Engineering Principle, Structural Design, ISO 9001, ASTM D638, ISO 2768, ASME Y145, and ISO 10110..

Historical Context

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1930

(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

10th year anniversary

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