# MYTHIC CURRENT
## 50 mythological vertical turbine forms, in two versions

This collection contains **100 real 3D mesh models**: 50 creature-inspired rotors, each paired with a hand-spun sculpture and an elevated wind-driven concept. Every rotor has 3–8 blades. The creature references are abstract shape cues, not literal animal statues or claims of traditional sacred design.

The models are intended for visual selection, discussion, spatial studies and prototype development. They are not fabrication drawings or certified turbines. No aerodynamic simulation, wind power curve, structural calculation, electrical prototype or acoustic measurement has been performed.

## Open and explore

- **mythic-current-viewer.html**: open in a current desktop browser with WebGL. It contains the actual model data and runs without an internet connection. Select any of the 50 forms, orbit, zoom, set both versions in motion, preview the low tone, and download either GLB. If an in-app preview does not run it, open the file in Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox.
- **mythic-current-50-concepts.blend**: native Blender library with 100 separately named collections. Open in Blender 5.1 or later. The Phoenix hand version is initially visible. In the Outliner, hide the current concept with its monitor icon and enable the desired collection. All concepts share the same origin for isolated comparison. Each collection has a named rotor parent; rotate this parent around Blender Z to turn the rotor without moving the support.
- **models/**: 100 individual GLBs, named `ID-creature-hand.glb` and `ID-creature-wind.glb`. Import into Blender or a compatible 3D design tool. Units are meters; GLB up-axis is Y. Each GLB includes a 12-second rotation animation (5 rpm) for visual inspection. That speed is illustrative.
- **collection-board-01.jpg … collection-board-05.jpg**: 10 concepts per board, both versions shown at independent presentation scales.
- **all-50-concepts.jpg**: the complete collection boards in one tall image.
- **collection-preview.jpg**: six representative forms.
- **previews/**: 100 individual transparent PNG renders.
- **concept-index.csv**: creature, family, blade count, twist, motif, tone target and filenames for all 50 concepts.
- **low-tone-study.wav**: a 20-second audio sketch playing 82, 98, 110, 123 and 131 Hz in that order, with gentle fades between notes. Playback is not acoustically calibrated.
- **source/**: full parameters, a procedural model generator and the bundled viewer library license. Regeneration requires Python 3 and NumPy. The Blender library remains editable without running the generator.

## The two versions

| Feature | Hand ritual | Wind beacon |
|---|---|---|
| Overall modeled height | 1.72 m | 4.95 m, described as ~5 m |
| Blade region | 1.15–1.67 m | 3.05–4.90 m |
| Rotor height | 0.52 m | 1.85 m |
| Nominal radial parameter | 0.32 m | 0.78 m |
| Maximum possible sail diameter in this parameter system | ~0.71 m including thickness | ~1.73 m including thickness |
| Grip | Ø 0.77 m rounded ring, centerline 1.06 m high | No public grip ring |
| Motion | Hand turns ring and rotor together | Wind acts on curved rotating sails |
| Support | Illuminated fixed pedestal | Illuminated fixed mast |
| Light and sound | Rotation-triggered | Rotation-triggered |

The sail envelope varies by creature, so nominal radius is not the exact bounding radius of every design. Blade count includes the large sail surfaces, not the shaft, grip spokes or edge reinforcement. Hub arms and rounded edges are shown. Bearings, generator internals, electronics, cable routing, access panels, seals, brakes and detailed fasteners are schematic or omitted.

### Hand ritual

The sculpture is approximately human height. A rounded ring below the sails provides the hand interface, following the user's prayer-wheel-like interaction idea. It turns the rotor through a shared shaft. The lower support column remains stationary and holds light diffusers and a sound module.

The model reserves the region between the grip and blade roots for a future guarded bearing interface. It does not resolve finger entrapment, reach into moving blades or grip-to-fixed-part clearances. Those need full-scale interaction mockups, an appropriate guard and a torque-limiting coupling before public use. A lower or adjustable grip should be developed for seated users and children if required.

The hand rotor's visual scale and rounded edges are design choices; they do not establish safe mass, rotational inertia or stopping force. Use lightweight prototype materials and tune bearing drag and generator loading after ergonomic testing.

### Wind beacon

The elevated version preserves each creature's main sail profile, twist and blade count, enlarges the rotor, removes the hand ring and adds a taller mast. These are sculptural curved-sail candidates for wind-driven rotation; they are not validated airfoils. Changing the number of blades, curvature or silhouette will change solidity, starting behavior, torque and loads. No design is ranked here by energy efficiency or self-starting ability.

The approximately 5 m height illustrates the relationship of rotor to support. **It is not a final installation height.** Final mast height, rotor clearance, foundation, maintenance access, braking and site placement must follow measured wind and structural design. A roof or another elevated surface may introduce vibration transmission and turbulence; elevation alone does not guarantee useful wind. A separate mast is the initial study assumption.

The U.S. Department of Energy's [Small Wind Guidebook](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/windexchange/small-wind-guidebook) explains site assessment, towers, controllers and storage. Its guidance on rooftop turbulence and transmitted vibration is relevant to choosing the eventual location. The creature-inspired geometry and numerical dimensions in this collection are original design assumptions, not specifications from that guide.

## Light and low-frequency sound

The intended experience is a fixed column that glows as the rotor turns, accompanied by a restrained audible low tone. Sound is produced deliberately by a speaker inside the column; it does not depend on blade flutter, bearing rumble or vibrating the supporting structure.

**Control path**

`Rotor motion → magnetic encoder / Hall sensor → controller → LED driver + audio envelope`

**Proposed energy path**

`Rotor shaft → low-speed generator → rectifier → charge / load controller → electrical buffer → regulated DC → light + amplifier`

The sensor trigger and energy supply are distinct. Rotation can trigger the experience while a charged battery or external low-voltage supply supports it. The models do not demonstrate that either version supplies enough energy for sustained light or sound. A rechargeable buffer or suitable supercapacitor is proposed to smooth the response; its type and capacity must be selected from measured loads and generator output. Wind operation also needs load management and overspeed control.

| Response | Proposed behavior |
|---|---|
| At rest | Light and tone fade out; controller waits for movement |
| First movement | Soft light onset; audio fades in without a click |
| Continued movement | Column light brightens with filtered speed, within a capped range |
| Sound pitch | A stable selected frequency, not a direct mechanical RPM frequency |
| Low stored energy | Reduce sound first, then lighting; retain a gentle visual cue when possible |
| Low wind / stopped hand | Let the envelope decay; do not chatter on and off |

Each concept proposes one of **82, 98, 110, 123 or 131 Hz** as an audible bass-tone target. These are aesthetic starting values, not acoustic simulation results or biological effects. A volume ceiling, adjustable envelope, quiet-hours control and sound-off mode should be part of the final installation. Isolate the speaker housing from the mast and foundation so it does not intentionally excite the structure. Speaker and enclosure dimensions remain unresolved.

The browser preview uses a sine tone and a conservative digital gain setting. It is not calibrated in sound-pressure level. Laptop and phone speakers may not reproduce it well. The viewer's columns brighten during the motion preview; the GLB material includes a luminous diffuser, but its emission is static in ordinary GLB viewers. The native Blender scene likewise shows the intended lit material rather than an electrical simulation.

## Form vocabulary

| IDs | Family | How the creature changes the sails |
|---|---|---|
| 01–05 | Wings | Broad feather envelopes, tapered tips and rhythmic edge undulations |
| 06–10 | Serpents | Coiled profiles, flowing hoods and deeper helical movement |
| 11–15 | Dragons | Stronger shoulders and rounded crest-like scallops |
| 16–20 | Ocean | Fin-like waists and tentacle-like waves |
| 21–25 | Horns | Rising tapers and spiraling crown silhouettes |
| 26–30 | Guardians | Broad folded-wing sail surfaces and restrained fluting |
| 31–35 | Fire | Flame-like tapers and repeated rounded tongues |
| 36–40 | Sky ribbons | Sinuous helical ribbons and long plume-like profiles |
| 41–45 | Forest | Soft petal-like feather fans and rounded lobes |
| 46–50 | Moon & shadow | Crescent profiles, tail fans and narrow ascending tips |

Each of the 50 forms has its own combination of blade count, twist, waist, edge wave, lobe count, flare and phase. All blades within a rotor repeat radially to retain nominal geometric balance. Similar creatures can belong to related traditions; the labels identify artistic inspiration and are not a comparative mythology classification. The index gives the individual creature names and form cues.

## Suggested next design stage

1. Select 3–5 forms by silhouette and intended setting. Phoenix, Naga, Wyvern, Kraken, Unicorn and Fenghuang are shown in the overview as a range of visual directions, without a performance ranking.
2. Make small physical rotors to compare starting torque, bearing friction and balance. Record results at several wind speeds; do not assume equal output between 3 and 8 blades.
3. Build a full-size hand interface mockup. Resolve guarding, pinch points, comfortable grip position and a controlled stopping response.
4. Test generator torque against a measured lighting/audio load and electrical buffer. Decide whether the interaction is fully self-powered or uses supplemental power.
5. For the wind version, perform aerodynamic and structural development, including fatigue, wind extremes, braking, anchorage and access.
6. Prototype the speaker enclosure and measure sound at the user and property boundary. Tune the chosen frequency and decay in the actual setting.

The next fabrication model should replace schematic hardware with specified parts, tolerances and service details. These thin closed mesh shells are visual design assets, not ready-to-print assemblies or manufacturing CAD solids.


## Wind and generator scenario update

The viewer now includes adjustable wind speed, generator watts and physical size, estimated electricity and constant-wind energy, load balance, and CSV export. See [Wind estimate notes](WIND-ESTIMATE-NOTES.md) for the formulas, defaults and limitations. Estimates are illustrative and do not validate the creature blades. The gold generator envelope changes only the viewer; GLB downloads keep the original sculpture geometry.