Buckminster Fuller was an architect with a vision that was years ahead of the times. In 1927, he began drawing the design for what he called the “House of the Future.” He called the house Dymaxion House. “Dy” indicates dynamism, “Max” indicates maximum, and “Ion” indicates tension. The innovative structure is supported on a single axis embedded in the ground like a massive column. Unlike other houses, the exterior was round, curving to a peak around the central mast. Some say it looks like a giant Hershey's Kiss or an alien spaceship.
1. Dymaxion's original home was in Wichita, Kansas
Although he began designing the house of the future in 1927, the first construction was not completed until 1930. Buckminster Fuller redesigned the house in 1945. Investor William Graham acquired both original models in 1948. Graham used a hybrid version of the house in his home. The lakefront property is an extension of his existing farmhouse. The family used the building until the 1970s.
2. The structure was donated to the Henry Ford Museum in 1990
It took more than ten years to rebuild the Dymaxion house. The house is now located inside the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The reconstruction team used component parts donated by the Graham family and the original design by Buckminster Fuller. The gallery first opened in 2001, and is a favorite destination for museum visitors.
3. Walls, floors and ceiling are supported in tension
The entire structure of the Dymaxion house is supported on a single axis using tension. The cables connecting the floor, walls and ceiling are connected to the axis and carry the weight of the structure. It works using engineering principles similar to those of canopies and suspension bridges.
4. The entire Dymaxion house fits inside the charging tube
Buckminster Fuller wanted his Dymaxion home to be easy to ship anywhere in the country. The lightweight home fits inside an aluminum charging tube. Shipping weight was about 3,000 pounds, which is equivalent to many of the cars we drive now. The design was easy to assemble and disassemble and could be moved without difficulty.
5. The Dymaxion house was fully automated
Storage areas in a Dymaxion home rotate to provide easy access to clothes and linens stored in the recesses between sections of the home. Hanging cabinets move clothes along a conveyor rack in a dry cleaning store. A push of the control button starts and stops the revolution, allowing you to choose the clothes you want.
6. At 1,017 square feet, it is very spacious
Dymaxion House features large living space for a small family. There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully functional kitchen, dining room and additional storage areas. The living room has a full 33-foot-wide panoramic view. Every part of the home provides functionality and comfort.
7. The temperature is controlled by moving the upper section up or down
To adjust the temperature in the Dymaxion House, the lid moves up or down. Opening the top allows more air to flow, cooling the interior. Closing it keeps the house warmer. The circular design also acts as a wind deflector. In 1964, the house successfully blocked the winds of a hurricane that passed within a few hundred yards.
8. R appeared. Buckminster Fuller on a postage stamp
In 2004, the US Postal Service honored Buckminster Fuller by placing his image on a 37-cent postage stamp. The image shows his face superimposed with a geodesic dome. Although no longer in circulation, the stamps are available on eBay from various sellers. The going price for used versions is about $1, give or take. We found the version shown above via seller 5bucks, which has a 100 percent positive review.
9. Buckminster Fuller lived in a house with a geodesic dome
Although he did not invent the geodesic dome, Buckminster Fuller received US patents for the design. While the Dymaxion house predates his work with geodesic domes, it is the domes that made Fuller famous. He is known for his collaboration in many dome projects around the world. He and his wife, Anne, lived in a geodesic dome (pictured above).
10. The Dymaxion was a failure
Buckminster Fuller tried to build the car of the future in 1933. The car was supposed to drive, fly and float. The first three models focused on terrestrial applications only. The three-wheeled vehicle was difficult to handle, and Fuller knew he could not launch it without significant improvement. During the demonstration, the first prototype was involved in a rollover accident. He was able to complete the other two models using family money, but the car was never launched as a commercial project.
We hope you've enjoyed exploring the wonders of the Dymaxion House and other creations of architect Buckminster Fuller. His ideas were truly ahead of the times. At a different time, his ideas might have gained more attention. If you're in the Detroit metro area, stop by the Henry Ford Museum and take a walking tour of the House of the Future.
You can find the source of the featured image for this story here.
