This Wood-Turned Cup Is Actually 74 Cups! (at

[@tested]

More about this cup: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/856907 Met's Object Conservation Department: www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/conservation-and-scientific-research/objects-conservation This Ancient Mace Hides a Big Surprise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6OwlYx8f5WZp6M Adam Savage Meets Real Armored Gauntlets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2qQaoOid5J5Z7s Adam Savage Meets Real Ancient Swords: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXvcoXukqKqhbtE More Met videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLJtitKU0CAeiUv8endzt93QO2_T96n_xe

[@jimsweeney]

This may well be a genuine "masterpiece" - an object designed to showcase everything a journeyman has learned, so that his Guild can declare him to be a Master.

[@ericthompson3982]

That's not a bad assumption, actually.

[@MikkellTheImmortal]

This object could have secured his Guild Royal recognition and led to better pay and more work if it is. To me it looks like a genuine "Masterpiece" that was likely presented to a Royal college or delegate of the Royal Court to showcase the abilities of the members of the Wood Turner's Guild. If so, this object would have surely secured a Royal commission.

[@bonce]

I thought that, and I reckon the reason it still exists is because it was probably then given to the patron of the maker who was likely quite wealthy, so kept as part of a collection,

[@danielreed5199]

I reckon it was just some poor bloke who had a really crap job, every time he got his days work done, his boss would come through and say "Look, Trevor, the client isn't happy, they need it bigger." 74 days later.....

[@Shiftarus]

This was my thought. Especially the freestanding sphere in the cage at the bottom, it seems like the only purpose of that would be to flex

[@Ichithix]

That this survived to modern day at all is pretty wild to me.

[@tested]

We feel that way every time we go into a museum. And we think about the maker or makers behind the artifact.

[@jakewelch.design]

makes sense why the met exhibits it

[@ridhosamudro2199]

I mean I'd incline to preserve a 72 in one cup too

[@amoliski]

This is the kind of thing that happens when someone starts on a bored project that gets away from them. Real "worlds largest rubber band ball" energy

[@RDEnduro]

It's much more than the rubber band though, I'd put the wood cup on my shelf at least 😊

[@user-fk8zw5js2p]

I imagine this fictitious scene: Early in the apprenticeship, the master wood lather assigns the apprentice the difficult task of making 72 paper-thin wooden cups for practice. The apprentice needs to figure out a way to protect and store the cups while turning more. Years later, the local lord is wandering the wood shop in areas not open to the public looking for a unique gift and is drawn to the the cup of cups.

[@petergerdes1094]

Makes me wonder if in 400 years Adam's work will be being conserved somewhere.

[@blindsniper35]

​@@user-fk8zw5js2pI would say that's kind of ridiculous. But I know for a fact multiple of my machinist friends when they were apprentices. They were given a block of metal and told to file it square by hand. So it doesn't sound like that preposterous of an idea to me.

[@andrewpolson5669]

Fun fact, Adam is actually 57 Adam’s in one. That’s how he gets so much done. If you want to know how old he is you simply count the Adam’s.

[@xMrPaintxx]

Russian nesting Adams?

[@tested]

😂

[@andrewpolson5669]

@ 😂 the one in the middle has a Jamie moustache

[@artfx9]

Where are the rings? Are the 57 Adams stored somewhere or they gather at a place where they can be counted? How do they reproduce? So many questions.. 😢

[@generaljellyroll8737]

I want to see mission impossible agent pull away his mask to reveal the exact same face underneath

[@Cr30s]

Amazing craftsmanship !! My guess is the OD is turned first, then hollowed out until the ID is reached, with the help of a candle light. Some wood turner use a light, historically a candle light placed behinf the turned blank, to shine through the piece you are hollowing out. Giving the ability to check the thickness and consistency of the piece thanks to the light intensity diffusing through it.

[@Cr30s]

The thing that most amazing me is the wood stability here !! Looking at the X-Ray the cups are almost non-deformed. That demonstrates the true knowledge of the material here.

[@liampope1]

My guess is the opposite :). I think they start making the smallest cup first. Then they make the next cup and start by turning the inside. Doing that they can fit the previous cup inside the next cup to get the fit perfect. When the inside of the next cup is perfect they turn the outside, possibly using the technique you mention to guage thickness, then part it off. I dunno, but that's the only way I can think of they can reference one part to the next. I can't imagine how they could get the precision to nest 74 cups so tightly otherwise! Such incredible craftsmanship!

[@Cr30s]

@@liampope1 If one day I finish building my pole lathe I'll try the two methods and then we'll have an idea of pros and cons. Oh yeah, building it, mastering decades of skills THEN we'll have an idea ;D

[@alextopfer1068]

You usually do outside first, as it's easier to support the workpiece when cutting the inside second. Whereas if you did the inside first it would be hard to support it. it would depend on if the person was left or right handed, my perspective is based on being a right handed turner Either way this is showing off

[@pluggedfinn-bj3hn]

​@@liampope1My thoughts exactly! The only other way I could imagine would be tons and tons of cups that were the wrong size, that were sold as they were slowly making this masterpiece as a "side project".

[@ryan_j_peck]

I'm just imagining how many cups had to be made to get to that final 74. There had to be many that broke and required starting over at all sizes along the way. Way to tedious for me, but I certainly admire the craftsmanship required and the final product.

[@michaelsteinbach]

Did i see that right that there is a sphere carved inside the birdcage? And a second one in the little bulb below the cup? Insane.

[@jeffreyyoung4104]

In some cases, the carved ball is done outside the cage, and then the cage is soaked in water to allow it to bend enough for the ball to pass through the bars. in other cases, the ball is soaked and compressed as well to make it easier to pass through the bars. But if you want amazing, go to India, where the stone carvers were able to carve stone balls in the mouths of lions, dragons, and whatever, and no tricks were used. They even had lathes that carved the pillars in temples so the pillars could spin, or parts of the pillars could spin. They were made centuries before the Europeans were doing their fine works.

[@NoriMori1992]

Holy shit, I was so preoccupied with the cup that I barely looked at the stem! What amazing craftsmanship!

[@AristophMarloque]

I am often as impressed by the display mounts as I am the pieces themselves in museums. Some of these artifacts are so unbelievably delicate and fragile, that simply holding them without damaging them further is a monumental feat in and of itself. I always love getting behind the scenes to appreciate the great people that do such incredible work without any of the recognition.

[@PeterPeer]

This is insane! Being a woodturner myself it looked kind of doable, but it is more than 70 pieces! Incredible. The stem is just in another dimension to me. That detail. I just enjoy looking at other people's skills. And the antiques offer a lot of great examples of fine craftsmanship. ❤

[@AlexanderBrown77]

I like how you have everything on this channel from rockets to wooden cups. Keep up the good work.

[@Oldtanktapper]

Next time you’re in London, go to the Victoria and Albert museum and check out the gothic boxwood miniature carvings. Pretty sure some other places have them too, Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for example. Absolutely stunning pieces of ultra fine carving work, done on religious themes as mini devotional items.

[@piccalillipit9211]

Rila Monastery in Bulgaria has a large collection - they are just insanity

[@denisha8596]

Hundreds of KZbin wood workers just felt a disturbance in the Force...

[@JessHull]

hahahaha I'd love to see one of them try and make a similar cup.

[@JordanSugarman]

Unless I'm mistaken, there's also a wooden ball inside the birdcage portion. Showing off, indeed.

[@boelwerkr]

I think i know how i would make such cups. First turning the inverted shape of the inside of the cup. Then turning the inside of the cup following the inverted shape in an other piece of wood. Then putting both halves together, now the negative is supporting the cup and the walls can be turned very thin while minimizing the risk of tearing. with something like a "following lathe" this can be made very precise. And i think the wood was very fresh and wet when turning, otherwise it would have been to brittle. The inverted piece of the inside of the cup is sacrificial, and is turned down a litte for every new cup.

[@writerpatrick]

It's possible they used tree branches which naturally narrow off. The branch has a natural circular structure which provides more support. The "bird cage" part was probably hand cut, at least for the inside.

[@OofHearted]

This channel is so interesting and has such respect for craft/craftsmanship etc. and I'm into it.

[@tested]

Appreciate your saying that! Thank you!

[@jckatz]

Amazing... This feels like a thesis project from the 1650 master student.

[@trickster721]

I think you're absolutely right, it's a "masterpiece" created to prove that a craftsman had graduated to the highest level of skill. The restoration guy probably wasn't the best person to ask about the historical context.

[@baldmenwin9591]

It's a Chalice-lice-lice-lice-lice-lice-lice...

[@bobdole4916]

Or something done by a master for a patron who had a really high level of appreciation for the skill. The time it would take to do something like this makes me think there was good money backing the craftsman.

[@jckatz]

@@bobdole4916 but unlike music you'd have to be a master yourself to appreciate the level of difficulty. I'd imagine patrons of the day being more into bling then actual level of difficulty. I watch the Olympics and sure the judges tell me something was difficult but I like the loud and showy moves better.

[@allangibson8494]

@@trickster721Yes, a literal “masterpiece” to be presented to a group of guild craft masters for a journeyman to advance to their ranks.

[@fen4554]

I thought they were showing that poor man's password on the sticky note attached to his monitor, but it appears to be a naming convention.

[@grantrxyz]

Such a cool look at literally the least noticeable things at museums

[@B2T7RID2QGLEHH5UZFB0T]

Adam i really hope you see this man. I can't express enough how much of an impact you've had on my life in a positive way. Watching you on myth busters as a youngster was truly inspiring and life changing for me. I am somewhat confident that without your impact on my life as a young person, I don't think I would have been inspired to become scientifically minded. So for that I thank you! My favorite quote of yours has been "I reject your reality and substitute my own!" It took me a while to understand what that meant growing up but one day it clicked for me and I thought that it was quite amusing. But anyways thank you Adam and Jamie for being such great science communicators and inspiring people to think better about the world. Also rest in peace Grant Imahara. You will be missed dearly. The bright personality and enthusiasm to build and learn that you brought to the myth busters table was only paralleled by the other great members of the myth busters crew.

[@_SurferGeek_]

Love seeing pieces of art like this. Our ancestors were quite incredible. So many amazing accomplishments by craftsmen of history are often dismissed by conspiracy theorists as "Impossible" or some other nonsense.

[@catzkeet4860]

I love that the mount is as much a work of art as the object it holds and displays.

[@stevenb7319]

As a professional machinist and craftsman I personally believe this is more likely a show off rather than anything for sale. A craftsman bragging to another craftsman would shut up any argument about who is better at their job with an object like this. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a similar cup with less cups made from a lesser artisan. This level of detail would as they remarked be a waste on the layman and never get the same amount of appreciation from a person who had no technical knowledge or experience.

[@robcat2075]

I'm reminded of the old cartoon where giant trees are lathed down to make one single toothpick.

[@vendter]

A treadle lathe is foot powered, not operated with a bow.

[@Cr30s]

Exact ! Although one could argue the treadle pulls on the piece that get its reciprocity from the bow on top (for lathes equipped with bows instead of a branch or a spring pole). But I agree with you.

[@Rapt0rham]

Yeah he's probably thinking of a string pole lathe, which TBF plenty of those are foot powered too

[@soomcire]

1:48, the outside diameter is turned first, then hollowed

[@pokethebear6287]

Definitely a woodworker flex.😊👍

[@NashMusicStudios]

They could have made a cup negative to be the support after turning out the interior of each cup, and turned down the negative after turning the exterior to size. Hog out the interior cup, insert negative, hog off exterior, sand/fine tooth file till it’s paper thin and hope it comes off the negative easy. Could also drill holes in the negative and blow air through it to separate the cup and the negative. Makes the process fairly straightforward, and if you mess up on a cup the negative would still be the same size so just try again before moving down.

[@darrencox150]

Conservators, here in the UK is a sadly underfunded and underappreciated profession. The entire pathology collection from Great Ormond Street, Children's' Hospital, was due to be thrown away! By sheer luck, the Royal Free Hospital pathology conservator happened to be walking down the corridor, were the collection was being stored before being disposed. He then spent three days and nights ( using his own vehicle) moving the collection to the Royal free pathology museum. It has been in storage there since the late 1980s. There are roughly 3,500 specimens, which date back to the 1800s. As you can imagine, these specimens are beyond unique. and a collection like this will NEVER be reproduced. All it needs is the time, skills and money to bring the specimens back from being lost for ever!

[@jameswoodard4304]

Yes, it was the epitome of "showing off!" A Medieval or Renaissance artisan relied on his work for his livlihood. There was also a strict monopoly system on who could make objects for the crown, including the wardrobes, furnishings, and innumerable accouterments of the entire royal family and each of their extensive properties. There was probably only *one* wood turner in all of England who was awarded the charter to be The King's Wood Turner. So, if you as an artisan got a chance to make something that would be presented to the king, you put every ounce of yourself into it and assured that it would be a virtual miracle of human craftsmanship.

[@runawayuniverse]

I don't know if Adam ever reads the comments here, but in the small chance that he does I want to say thank you to him for all the years of entertainment he has given me both with Mythbusters and this channel.

[@tested]

We will pass your kind comment on to Adam!

[@happymanharp1378]

My first thought is "Why don't you have a 3d scanner in your hand, Adam?" and my second thought is "I don't think they have the resolution to pull that off."

[@SeventhSwell]

I know they don't think the mount they used to do repairs is all that amazing since it's new and they made it themselves, but I honestly think it should be on display with the cup. It's really interesting and it's now part of the cup's history. I know if I saw the cup in a museum I'd love to not only learn about how it was made but also learn about how it was restored.

[@BakilAskamrim]

This is something that I hadn't thought about, but I definitely would love to see something like this going forward.

[@randomjunk1977]

I wonder how many cups were actually turned to result in 74 that fit correctly and were unbroken.

[@allangibson8494]

As someone who has used a lathe, at LEAST three to four times as many… The cups are however the easy part…

[@SteenTV]

I've been woodturning for years - this is staggering... I find myself just imagining where to start

[@tested]

Right?!

[@joequirke1288]

I think I know that room you’re in. I was a GC who helped waterproof and repair some of the windows and exterior. One of my favorite jobs. Thanks

[@B.McAllister]

This is the OG paper cup. This is also the cup Indiana Jones chose correctly.

[@ryanm4319]

*chose wisely

[@zachmoyer1849]

The 74-step chalice the first step is to admit you have a problem, lol

[@darkninjacorporation]

I wonder if Guinness has a “world’s most breakable object” award because this has GOT to be a contender. I’m scared that I’ll break it by even watching this video LOL

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

It's one of those things where there is no other reason to do it but "Because I can"!

[@robcat2075]

Is it possible any of those paper-thin cups are wood pulp, pressed into the shape of a cup?

[@RealBradMiller]

No, they are actually turned by blocks of wood! That would be cool to do, press wood pulp into molds!

[@newp0rt]

you can tell by some of the ones that took out and by the middle one that its definitely just wood.

[@h.Freeman]

Now I'm waiting for Adam to make one... If anyone can do it im sure he can

[@billbucktube]

Thinking about how…. I wonder if they had turned inserts to support the work and then turned/sanded the cup down to paper thin?

[@garychaiken808]

Great job guys. Thank you 😊

[@spiritbw3665]

I wonder if this was a masterpiece in the old meaning of the word. A piece made by a journeyman to show his mastery of his craft.

[@tinabouher2065]

WoW the craftsmanship back in the 17th century and now - the amazing people that work hard to restore and learn about these pieces so the humble person - me - can learn and appreciate. WoW

[@clemensruis]

Such intricate details! But how do they know that the little cups have been turned? They might have been steamed and pressed into shape. Looking at the zoomed in image on the webpage show that the grains may be distorted.

[@JoeSchonbok]

It's an old-fashioned, royal dixie cup dispenser!

[@KantFromEC]

They should send it to the water jet channel to get a cool cross section.

[@robertvancel]

This was great!

[@joeshmow1583]

I can see this being a dare from a protective Dad. Gives a seemingly impossible task for his daughters hand. Thinking no man can do this but one dude wanted that beauty lol.

[@2011Kestrel]

Was each cup turned? Or did the creator soak thin veneer to make it pliable and layer them into the cup, moulding and crafting each layer to shape, one after another? Like making multiple layers of pie crusts.

[@DoctorX17]

This is fascinating and insane and I love it

[@bigsarge2085]

Incredible.

[@Ki113dbysw0rd]

The real definition of a masterpiece.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great video sir 😊

[@Gilgamesh_King_Of_Uruk]

Whoever made it probably got free top of the line mead for life at the time.

[@L3ngenDairy]

I know absolutely nothing about this cup but I think it was a way to show off the creator skill

[@feynthefallen]

Woodworkers back then were every bit as crazy as they are today, but they didn't have epoxy resin as a vent for their craziness

[@joeybagodonuts6683]

Imo this is the proof piece of a master craftsman. It wasn't a gift for royalty, this is literally the craftsmans physical resume. "Look what I am capable of."

[@artfx9]

Paper cups were a thing! Bring out the party goblet!

[@cyclos12]

5:46 he turns in to a confused owl "Who who who"

[@sortfaar3]

i can absolutely see this being a piece made either to sell something (showing the capabilities of a machine, a portforlio for your capabilities etc) or a cynical/adventurous workshopowner that got a new tool and wanted to see how far he could push it

[@azgarogly]

Not to diminish the masters skill, the pantographs have being known in the 18th century, probably earlier. Repeating the shape time after time after time with such a tight fit... would be a perfect job for a copying lathe with a pantograph.

[@calebchampion7781]

could they have carved the inside of the cups first then filled with wax, let it harden then turn the outside and melt the wax ?

[@jahjoeka]

Such a crazy flex from the past.

[@RG-Models86]

Now that's an amazing piece of woodwork 😮

[@Android480]

You can’t turn something that thin, can you? Wouldn’t it just bend?

[@allangibson8494]

You cut the inside first and then attach it to a matching form with wax to machine the outside. Heating the finished product releases it. Gears for custom made watches are also made that way.

[@WiiDSRebeL]

Xray shows a ball in the bird cage. So cool

[@_D_P_]

I wonder if originally there was a little trinket in the very center that has been long lost. Seems the perfect place for a decorative plug.

[@drumid1881]

And some people try to argue a bananna duct taped to a wall is art!

[@exiledreptile1]

Look up off center turning. It explains the way you can get step or shifted wood turning.

[@allangibson8494]

And then you get into the whole Holtzapffel lathe rabbit hole, of cutting squares hexagons and cubes on a lathe. Holtsapffel type lathes were also used for cutting patterns on press printing plates for bank note printing (because they were almost impossible to reproduce on a different lathe).

[@ralphlindberg1299]

Yup.... I do off center (or multi axis) myself and the "tech" to do it was quite mature in this time period, as was oval (moving axis) and ornament al (Holtzapffel) The workmanship is outstanding, the tech behind it was already old

[@rothn2]

Will this ever be on display? I don't think I saw it or if I did, the story wasn't explained like it was here. EDIT: Oh, after the display section, I think I actually did see this. It just didn't make much of an impression at the time... It's cool to see it in this way!

[@jayemm7942]

5:20 seems like a puzzle

[@invox9490]

I'm no engineer but I think they did this from the inside out: starting with the smaller cup and then using the positive space (the outside) to carve the next negative space (inside). By having a blade to define the outline, they could really have kept it going indefinitelly, but my guess is he just got bored and said: "74 is enough"; and stopped there. 😅

[@David-h5r1x]

People back then were way more talented than we give them credit for.

[@dutchman8129]

Ikea are you seeing this?

[@mRhea]

id love to see someone turn just 1 paper-thin cup

[@captiannemo1587]

Pair of calipers help. And that’s easy tech.

[@ONYX1768]

Interesting thing is that the fragility of the piece is most likely an intentional thing. If you were wealthy enough to own intricate valuable things it demonstrated your wealth, If you were able to use and not damage your fragile possessions in use it was meant to demonstrate your grace and dexterity. It was a way to further differentiate yourself from the peasantry and "barbarians" Literally the most pompous set of old European traditions of the nobility. It originated most likely as a result of old roman glassware. That cabinet with all the fine china you have? That's peasant behavior. Use your fine china.

[@VRSNSMV]

maybe it was used for some sort of drinking game?

[@arnaudmenard5114]

it looks like something made on a rose engine...they are amazing machinetools!

[@BixbyConsequence]

Garcon, today I will take my wine in cup #17.

[@Tasz_]

im so dissapointed by this thumbnail, I was expecting it to have a volume of 17.27 litres.

[@Evaisa]

Are you telling me wood turned this cup??

[@km077]

"Oh snap, we're outta cups!" "Don't worry, I brought mine." "one for 75 people in total?" "Umm... you _almost_ got me... make that 74. I'll drink from the bottle/vase."

[@ScottBaietti]

Someone alert Frank Howarth!

[@massv953]

This can now be cut with far less waste, interesting

[@MaikNL]

Adam Savage and Fred Savage

[@artfx9]

"Behold... what my peasants can do!"

[@_SurferGeek_]

I see what you're trying to do here but it's unlikely that a Master craftsman of this calibre would ever be considered a "peasant". 😅

[@artfx9]

@_SurferGeek_ It's for the King! How dare you?

[@jarooosa]

two guys, 74 cups

[@peterzerfass4609]

We all know this "just one more"-moment...but this is ridiculous XD

[@sibhuskyguy]

i think it might be safe to say that woodworker had obsessive compulsive disorder....

[@trucktheworld]

Thin wood turning example, using light as a thickness gauge kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpjWdYqYZdSlibM

[@BullseyeBob77]

I wanted to see all 74 cups!!! Booooooooo!! 🥸 Love ya Adam!!

[@RFC3514]

Have they considered the obvious possibility: that it was 3D-printed?

[@doctorofart]

Did anyone examine the cups and the grain? Are we so sure wood was wasted, or did they have done way of separating them all from one piece of wood. I see no discussion of how nobody could recreate this today. Our forefathers were dope af.

[@notahotshot]

"I see no discussion of how nobody could recreate this today." That's because that would be untrue.

[@doctorofart]

@ good luck. Paper thin. Not a shot in hell.

[@newp0rt]

@@doctorofart do the inside first, make a malleable mold that hardens to support the inside. then turn the outside. something like wax could work. it also requires tons of patience, tons of failures, and tons of time. its like when people say "we cant recreate the pyramids today!" yes we can.. nobody wants to. there were incentives back then for people to spend years of their life making this like becoming a master in a guild. we value time very differently now. this can definitely be remade if someone cared enough to do it.

[@Astrnauted]

my assumption is mr. sager is probably wrong in his assumptions that each cup was turned as an individual piece of wood. too bad we cant get a look at the inside or know if the "cups" are fastened inside with a mastic or something.

[@jayhitek]

That is soooo cool.