How to Build an Origami Gyroscope

You can make a gyroscope using modular origami.

Modular origami uses several pieces of paper that are folded and then pieced together. This allows for larger and more complex designs than you could get from a single sheet of paper. Making a gyroscope with origami uses this modular method and is a great beginning modular project.

Things You'll Need

• 12 sheets square paper

Instructions

1. Fold the paper in half on the diagonal. Unfold. Fold in half on the other diagonal. Unfold. Fold in half. Unfold. Fold in half in the other direction. Unfold. There should be fold lines that create a giant X on the paper, as well as one that cuts the paper in half vertically and one that cuts the paper in half vertically. Repeat these folds with all 12 sheets of paper.

2. Lay the paper wrong side up, with a corner facing you, so it looks like a diamond instead of a square. Fold the two side in, creating a square. Make 6.

3. Lay the paper wrong side up, with a flat edge facing you. Fold the two side folds in, creating a triangle. Make 6.

4. Take one square folded paper and place it on top of one of the triangle folded papers, matching the side folds, so the two shapes fit together. Fold the corners of the square folded paper under. Make 6.

5. Take two of your modules. Slide the corner of one module over the corner of the other one, and under the top sheet of paper. They should slide together until you can no longer see the bottom sheet of paper. Connect all the modules to each other in this fashion.

Tips & Warnings

• When the gyroscope is completed, you will only see the paper used for the square folds. Don't waste your prettiest papers on the triangle folds, as it will be hidden.

References

• You Tube: "How to Make an Origami Gyroscope (by Lewis Simon)"; August, 2009
• Fabric Origami Web Archive; Gyroscope; Lewis Simon