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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!drutx!druxq!slb
From: slb@druxq.UUCP (Sue Brezden)
Newsgroups: net.puzzle
Subject: Manhole covers (curves of constant diameter)
Message-ID: <1740@druxq.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 21-Mar-85 22:42:16 EST
Article-I.D.: druxq.1740
Posted: Thu Mar 21 22:42:16 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Mar-85 02:03:58 EST
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 22


Since curves of constant diameter have been mentioned...

Poul Anderson wrote a story involving those curves.  Seems
a space ship is marooned on an undeveloped planet.  They 
need to move a very heavy engine from a storage place to
their ship.  (The engine had been placed there earlier to
help out in just such an emergency.  However, they crashed
a few hundred miles away from the storage place.)

Unfortunately, the culture on the planet believes that the
circle is holy, and forbids its use.  They need a substitute
for round wheels--and find it in a triangular curve of constant
diameter.

Unfortunately, I cannot remember the title of the story.  I
recommend it, however.

                    Sue Brezden
                    drutx!druxq!slb

    "'Well, master, we're in a fix and no mistake,' said Sam"