The Algorithmic Beauty of Sea Shells

by Hans Meinhardt

For centuries scientists have tried to understand the growth and development of multicellular organisms. More recently, with the help of mathematical models and computerized simulations, they have discovered algorithmic patterns and models that seem to describe the dynamic processes in which organisms grow, reproduce, and respond to external factors. In this fascinating and beautifully illustrated book, Hans Meinhardt explains and illustrates these structural growth patterns in the case of sea shells. The book delightfully conveys the intuitive appeal and the "touch of magic" in this research. A diskette packaged with the book contains a program that allows the reader to run the simulations on a PC. New patterns can be generated interactively to provide an insight into the process of biological pattern formation.

Genres: Science

204 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1995

Reviews

[fbz · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has inspired so much of my knit textile work. the code is non portable, pre compiled basic, and terribly clunky. the book itself and all of the algorithmic modeling is fantastic.