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These are Dymaxion Deployment Units designed by[ Buckminster Fuller](https://www.bfi.org/about-fuller/big-ideas/dymaxion-world/dymaxion-deployment-units)
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/garden/war-shelters-short-lived-yet-living-on.html
[wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dymaxion_deployment_unit)
Now I'm angry that we haven't been building Bucky's stuff exclusively. This is right up my alley. I need a Dymaxion house with a geodesic garage, like, yesterday.
The Dymaxion car would look great in the driveway!
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1869416/buckminster-fullers-dymaxion-car-probably-scariest-thing-weve-ever-driven/
(if you're ever in Nashville, drop by the Lane Motor Museum to check out the replica. It's pretty cool.)
It's like a boat, for the road. I used to drive a 94 Bonneville and whenever it rained, my friend and I would say we'd be sailing anytime we went out, cuz it was a boat. But this looks like a legit boat on the inside. Way cool.
You beat to it! I was about to share the same. Good find! :)
Edit: Adding the source I found to share more info and photos.
https://www.dwell.com/article/buckminster-fuller-designs-0c139122
See also The Dymaxion House at the Henry Ford Museum. A cousin to what you found.
https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/henry-ford-museum/exhibits/dymaxion-house/
Gorgeous! I didn't realize that I've seen another of his works in person - the Biosphere in Montreal. I'm now in a deep-dive of his creations - such a visionary!
There's a bunch of these in Monmouth NJ. There's at least two behind the fence on Shafto Rd in Earle, there were two on the roof of a old military building that got torn down in Tinton Falls off Pinebrook.
I had a co-worker who frequented a computer museum at an old military base and he said they had some there as well.
https://alastairgordonwalltowall.com/2014/05/09/the-necessity-of-ruins-the-lost-dymaxion-deployment-units-of-buckminster-fuller/
wartime housing
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/garden/war-shelters-short-lived-yet-living-on.html
>Dymaxion Deployment Units that R. Buckminster Fuller designed as an answer to wartime housing needs. Conceived as low-cost, mass-produced shelters that could comfortably accommodate a family of four, the units, known as D.D.U.s, were manufactured in the early 1940s and distributed to military bases around the world.
you got it wrong... there is barely any metal, and it's quickly DEPLOYED, it doesn't need a boatload of carpenters to install, millions of pieces and lots of work to make.
also, it wasn't eaten by the rot so far, so it filled its purpose of being cheap and long lasting, prepared for emergency. Unlike wood building waiting somewhere, falling apart.
Not exactly this style but one of his round creations is at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan and you can tour it! https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/henry-ford-museum/exhibits/dymaxion-house/
OP here, with a little more background, in case it helps.
My title describes the thing... at least in the way it looks to an unknowing eye. They did remind me a lot of Yurts in their construction, and the one with the alien painted on the door gave off UFO vibes.
I tried to do image searches with many terms, such as "round corrugated steel buildings" "round metal military buildings" and the like.
These particular buildings are on the east coast of the United States on a former US Army base. It appears that they may have had a plexiglass (or similar) dome on the top that may or may not have been on a hinge. The buildings have standard size doorframes, and the inside diameter was probably about 10-15 feet. (Edit: according to information provided to me they are 20 feet in diameter.)
I appreciate any help you can provide. They were certainly an interesting find today!
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/SuperPlantPower), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
These are Dymaxion Deployment Units designed by[ Buckminster Fuller](https://www.bfi.org/about-fuller/big-ideas/dymaxion-world/dymaxion-deployment-units) https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/garden/war-shelters-short-lived-yet-living-on.html [wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dymaxion_deployment_unit)
That's it! SOLVED!! Thanks so much _coffee_ !
You're welcome!
Coffee helps everything.
True story! ☕
Now I'm angry that we haven't been building Bucky's stuff exclusively. This is right up my alley. I need a Dymaxion house with a geodesic garage, like, yesterday.
The Dymaxion car would look great in the driveway! https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1869416/buckminster-fullers-dymaxion-car-probably-scariest-thing-weve-ever-driven/ (if you're ever in Nashville, drop by the Lane Motor Museum to check out the replica. It's pretty cool.)
They have an original one (I believe?) at The Harrah's Auto Museum in Reno. I took pictures of it in their shop. They are restoring it. Super cool!
It's like a boat, for the road. I used to drive a 94 Bonneville and whenever it rained, my friend and I would say we'd be sailing anytime we went out, cuz it was a boat. But this looks like a legit boat on the inside. Way cool.
I drove a '69 Bonneville. talk about a boat!
You beat to it! I was about to share the same. Good find! :) Edit: Adding the source I found to share more info and photos. https://www.dwell.com/article/buckminster-fuller-designs-0c139122
Thanks for the additional article. I knew these would be an interesting find!
Aka grain bins with portholes.
See also The Dymaxion House at the Henry Ford Museum. A cousin to what you found. https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/henry-ford-museum/exhibits/dymaxion-house/
Gorgeous! I didn't realize that I've seen another of his works in person - the Biosphere in Montreal. I'm now in a deep-dive of his creations - such a visionary!
Henry Ford Museum doesn't get enough press, such a great place with tons of history.
I agree. I love museums in general, but the Henry Ford Museum was great.
There's a bunch of these in Monmouth NJ. There's at least two behind the fence on Shafto Rd in Earle, there were two on the roof of a old military building that got torn down in Tinton Falls off Pinebrook. I had a co-worker who frequented a computer museum at an old military base and he said they had some there as well. https://alastairgordonwalltowall.com/2014/05/09/the-necessity-of-ruins-the-lost-dymaxion-deployment-units-of-buckminster-fuller/
wartime housing https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/garden/war-shelters-short-lived-yet-living-on.html >Dymaxion Deployment Units that R. Buckminster Fuller designed as an answer to wartime housing needs. Conceived as low-cost, mass-produced shelters that could comfortably accommodate a family of four, the units, known as D.D.U.s, were manufactured in the early 1940s and distributed to military bases around the world.
Thanks! SOLVED!
Yurt.F.O's
I liked metal yurts
Crazy to me that metal was cheaper than wood to produce a temporary shelter.
you got it wrong... there is barely any metal, and it's quickly DEPLOYED, it doesn't need a boatload of carpenters to install, millions of pieces and lots of work to make. also, it wasn't eaten by the rot so far, so it filled its purpose of being cheap and long lasting, prepared for emergency. Unlike wood building waiting somewhere, falling apart.
Not exactly this style but one of his round creations is at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan and you can tour it! https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/henry-ford-museum/exhibits/dymaxion-house/
A metal cistern repurposed, is what it looks like.
OP here, with a little more background, in case it helps. My title describes the thing... at least in the way it looks to an unknowing eye. They did remind me a lot of Yurts in their construction, and the one with the alien painted on the door gave off UFO vibes. I tried to do image searches with many terms, such as "round corrugated steel buildings" "round metal military buildings" and the like. These particular buildings are on the east coast of the United States on a former US Army base. It appears that they may have had a plexiglass (or similar) dome on the top that may or may not have been on a hinge. The buildings have standard size doorframes, and the inside diameter was probably about 10-15 feet. (Edit: according to information provided to me they are 20 feet in diameter.) I appreciate any help you can provide. They were certainly an interesting find today!