Storyline

This video is about the problem of turning a sphere inside out, by passing the surface through itself, without making any holes or creases. Mathematicians believed the problem to be unsolvable until 1958, when Stephen Smale proved otherwise. The motion of turning a sphere inside out, called a regular homotopy, is extremely difficult to visualize. The homotopy in this film was developed by Bernard Morin, a blind mathematician. The motion is illustrated with a sequence of chicken-wire models, built by Charles Pugh, showing the crucial stages in the motion. Commentary is provided by mathematicians Nelson L. Max, Stephen Smale, and Charles Pugh, and by physicist Judith Bregmann.

Key Information

Director Nelson Max
Studio The Topology Films Project
Language EN

Cast & Crew

Nelson Max

Self

Stephen Smale

Self

Charles Pugh

Self

Judith Bregman

Self

Frequently Asked Questions

Turning a Sphere Inside Out was released on January 1, 1979.

The runtime of Turning a Sphere Inside Out is 22m.

Turning a Sphere Inside Out is a Documentary movie.

Turning a Sphere Inside Out is available to watch. Check streaming platforms and theaters near you.

Turning a Sphere Inside Out was directed by Nelson Max.

The main cast of Turning a Sphere Inside Out includes Nelson Max, Stephen Smale, Charles Pugh.

Turning a Sphere Inside Out is originally in English.