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According to Wikipedia, “An egg of Columbus or Columbus’ egg refers to a brilliant idea or discovery that seems simple or easy after the fact. The expression refers to an apocryphal story in which Christopher Columbus, having been told that discovering the Americas was inevitable and no great accomplishment, challenges his critics to make an egg stand on its tip. After his challengers give up, Columbus does it himself by tapping the egg on the table to flatten its tip.

While that story describes many other discoveries, it definitely applies to this egg. I did not know that I could spin an egg and have it stand up. However, after having been introduced to the concept and told the simple formula… Well, duh! Anyone can do that.

For this woodturned egg, the secret is to apply the golden mean. Turn a cylinder and measure the diameter. Mark the length to be 1.618 times the diameter. Then gently round over the ends.

I chose walnut oil for a finish since it will take abuse and can be renewed after children have had their fun.

My egg is about 3 inches long of Linden wood. I’ll let you figure out the diameter. Duh!, anyone can turn this egg.

Enjoy!