The Sierpinski Tetrahedron: A Metal Sculpture

How it all began...

During the summer of 1993, Breckenridge Senior High School mathematics instructor Stan Goldade enrolled in a course called “Chaos Theory” at the Geometry Center on the University of Minnesota campus. There he learned how to model fractals with computer programs and built them out of paper. The next school year he integrated the new topic in the geometry curriculum at BHS. The geometry students learned how to construct the Sierpinski Tetrahedron model out of paper and tape. Each year the students worked diligently to make hundreds of paper pyramids to construct the three dimensional fractal. After one week the scotch tape would dry out and the Sierpinski Tetrahedron would fall apart. But one year a student suggested making it out of metal so that we could enjoy it year round. The BHS Mathletes sold weathervanes to raise funds to finance the metal sculpture. Gene & Kathie Schobinger from SWEN Weathervanes donated their time to cut out the 4,096 metal triangles. For five years BHS shop instructor Lynn Hillestad encouraged his welding students to weld together the triangles into pyramids. NDSCS’s welding students also fabricated many tetrahedrons. For his Eagle Scout project, Brady Wall of Boy Scout Troop 332 constructed the foundation of the sculpture with landscaping blocks. Brady’s mentor Paul Miranowski, owner of Landmark Landscaping, donated tools and supplies to make this project possible. Jeff Muehler, Public Utilities Director for the city of Breckenridge, installed a night light. Todd Dohman, owner of Todd’s Welding, welded the four large sections together to complete the project. Western Railroad donated the chrome paint. Both the Breckenridge City Council and Wilkin County Commissioners approved the project. The metal sculpture is located in Breckenridge, Minnesota on US Highway 75 just south of the Ottertail River bridge and Dairy Queen.