ONLINE MEDIA KIT |
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For ages 8 - 88 |
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Polymorf construction |
set toy |
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Crystallize your imagination TM |
The Polymorf construction set toy challenges "3Doodlers" ages 8 to 88 to "Crystallize your |
imagination". Build life-like models of creatures that walk, talk, and fly; space shuttles; vehicles; |
and aircraft. Model polyhedra and the structure of molecules and crystals. |
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The seven shapes |
Six panels joined together |
30 panels clustered together |
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Polymorf building panels come in seven different geometric shapes and six vibrant colors. |
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The remarkable combination of rigidity and flexibility of the models that makes them seem to |
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come to life in your hands is due to the patented "pinge" (pin+hinge) connector piece. Up to six |
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panels can be joined together edge to edge simultaneously by one pinge. And the panels can |
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hinge freely through a full 360 degrees of rotation. Up to 30 panels can be clustered together so |
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that they radiate out from a common center point. The result is a highly versatile modeling |
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system with infinite possibilities. |
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Polymorf is really four sets in one: a model building kit, a construction set toy, a 3D puzzle, |
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and a math and science manipulative. |
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Like conventional replica model building kits, the unique geometric properties of the panels |
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lets you contour the shape of a model to be convincingly realistic. But with Polymorf you can |
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build an unlimited variety of models, not just the one the kit was designed for. |
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Polymorf is also a construction set toy. Most hub and strut construction sets can only |
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build the skeleton of a structure. However, with Polymorf you can build the exterior shell of a |
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structure as well as interior spaces that are partitioned and braced for strength and stability just |
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like the real thing. Buildings can be built with rooms and hallways; ships and subs can be |
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equipped with cabins and passageways; and bridges, towers, and Ferris wheels can be |
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engineered with interior cross bracing and bulkheads. |
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Assembling a polymorf model from the seven different shaped panels is like trying to solve |
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a complex 3D puzzle with an added level of difficulty. Since the panels can be joined together in |
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an infinite variety of combinations compared to only one way that pre-cut puzzle pieces go |
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together, the problem is finding the correct combination that will lead to a solution. And there |
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are an infinite number of puzzles to choose from, not just the one the pieces were specifically |
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cut for. Polymorf will both confound and delight the problem solver in you. |
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Polymorf is also a useful math and science manipulative that integrates well with the |
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constructivist method of teaching that is currently being promulgated (i.e. learning by doing). |
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The multi-panel connectability of Polymorf panels facilitates straight forward demonstrations of |
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symmetry elements such as mirror and symmetry planes. And those features can be associated |
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between polyhedra by inscription and compounding operations. Transformational operations |
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such as truncation, sectioning, and rearrangement are also possible. Demonstrations of space |
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filling with polyhedra lay the groundwork for modeling the crystal lattice network and polyhedral |
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framework structure of elements and minerals. |
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Polymorf's colorful website can be viewed at http://www.polymorf.net. It features a wide |
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variety of models that can be built with Polymorf. The site also offers a gallery of free, original |
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clip art images of Polymorf models; animated cartoons featuring Polymorf characters; and even a |
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lesson on the symmetry of the Platonic solids. Visitors can subscribe to the free 3Doodlings |
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newsletter to be published online periodically. It will announce product updates and new site |
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features among other things. |
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Polymorf is available in five different size sets ranging in price from $20 to $150. |
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Radical set - 230 pieces (84 panels plus connectors), $20 |
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Universal set - 600 pieces (224 panels plus connectors), $50 |
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Animator set - 1000 pieces (364 panels plus connectors) $75 |
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Geometer set - 1000 pieces (364 panels plus connectors plus instruction booklet) $80 |
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Engineer set - 2000 pieces ( 728 panels plus connectors) $150 | |
The sets can be ordered directly from the web site at http://www.polymorf.net/catalog.htm. USA |
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and Canadian residents only. Credit card orders are processed online using the latest SSL |
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encryption technology for security. |
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Polymorf, Inc. was incorporated as an S corporation in the State of Washington in January, |
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1999. It is a high-end toy manufacturing company specifically established to produce Polymorf. |
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The president is Rick Engel. No financial information is available at this time. |
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Rick Engel - president |
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Rick Engel is the president of Polymorf, Inc. and the inventor of Polymorf. A fisheries |
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biologist by training, Rick became intrigued by how the structure of molecules and crystals |
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influenced their physical and chemical properties. Specifically, the atoms of many elements and |
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minerals can be modeled as a symmetrical distribution of points in space like the vertices of |
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simple geometric shapes that are packed together to fill space. Having made the connection |
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between geometry and chemistry, he discovered that these same geometric principles were a |
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veritable "philosopher's stone" for understanding such diverse fields as topology, crystallography, |
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biology, engineering, architecture, and art. However, the commercially available math and |
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science manipulatives were inadequate for modeling the complex three dimensional geometries |
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involved. Thus necessity became the mother of this invention and Polymorf was born. As it |
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turns out, Polymorf's versatility as a model building toy is due to the same fundamental |
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geometric relationships that underlie the structure of natural systems. It's truly serendipitous! |
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Polymorf, Inc. |
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11500 NE 76 Street, # A-3, # 309 |
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Vancouver, WA 98662 |
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Email: morfun@polymorf.net |
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. Web site: http://www.polymorf.net |
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Contact: Rick Engel, president | |
"Not just kids play" TM |
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