The world’s two oldest named professorial positions are the Savilian chairs of astronomy and geometry at the University of Oxford. Founded by Sir Henry Savile in 1619, these chairs have been occupied by a row of world-class scientists. The celebration of the 400th anniversary of the foundation included a conference organized by the British Socitey for the History of Mathematics. One of the speakers, Dame Frances Kirwan, the current Savilian professor of geometry, announced that the Gömböc has a role in these special celebrations.
Indeed, the individual Gömböc model 400 (shown above), carrying the inscription “In memoriam Sir Henry Savile” became part of the collection New College, which is physical home of the Savilian Chairs.
Our picture below shows Dame Frances Kirwan, the Savilian Professor of Geometry, regarding the indiivdual Gömböc 400 in New College, Oxford.
The production of Gömböc 400, a 90mm tall model made from bronze, has been sponsored by Mr Ottó Albrecht.
In 2023, New College decided to expand its housing by a new building in Mansfield Road. During the construction the College displayed a giant poster at the building site, introducing its history through 10 special objects.
Gömböc 400 became part of this unique collection of intellectual heritage, along with objects like a painting of El Greco or Newton’s famous sketch of an optics experiment.