khanna

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Who else thinks like this?

Sudarshan Khanna - Professor of National Institute of Design in India / Author / Lecturer

Khanna’s fascination with traditional Indian craft-made mechanical toys and how they can be used to teach his design & technology students to appreciate and understand some basic laws of physics, resulted in a profusely illustrated research publication 'Dynamic Folk Toys' (publ. 1983).
He says:

"India is one of the few countries in the world today with a living tradition of folk toys...

Dynamic folk toys provide a sensory experience through their actions: they create movement, change form, and make sounds.

Such sensory stimuli are direct and clearly understood - which is the object of each toy. They illustrate simple themes derived from our physical environment. The flying bird, jumping monkey and striking snake are some examples."

"The design of these toys is largely based on the application of one or more of the basic principles of physics. The laws of mass and gravity, centrifugal force, simple mechanics, sound, and magnetism are extensively applied... most of these playthings are ephemeral in nature, lasting only for a few days, sometimes just a few hours.... dynamic toys are basically the product of ideas.

The maker’s designing and innovative ability play an important part in their creation."

This book is a great example of how seemingly unimportant, fun things created by street vendors can inspire learning in science and technology subjects.

who is this? > Sudarshan Khanna

resource link > Sudarshan Khanna: Dynamic Folk Toys

what do we mean - thinking by making?

• there is special knowledge and understanding to be gained by making things

• childhood plays a vital part in this innovative process

a historical perspective

• evidence from the past

• art and decoration

• observation, trial and error

• origins of maths
• patterns and geometry

facing the future

• living in a digital age