Feature Math

Spirals inspire walking aids for people with disabilities

Engineers design a special shoe that may improve gait and a skateboard that rocks and rolls

spiral stairs

SPIRAL STEPS  The spiral’s unique characteristics may help disabled people get where they’re going.

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By Dana Mackenzie

- More than 2 years ago

Consider the wheel. Round. Dependable. Boring. Hasn’t been redesigned in centuries. Positively Neolithic.

Now consider the spiral. Eccentric. Open-ended. Captivating. Native Americans carved spirals as petroglyphs.