Puffer: Difference between revisions
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{{Glossary}} | {{Glossary}} | ||
A '''puffer''' is an object that moves like a [[spaceship]], except that it leaves debris behind. The first known puffers were found by [[:Category:Patterns found by Bill Gosper|Bill Gosper]] and travelled at c/2 orthogonally (see [[puffer 1]] for the very first one, found in [[:Category:Patterns found in 1971|1971]]). Not long afterwards, c/12 diagonal puffers were found (see [[switch engine]]). Discounting [[wickstretcher]]s (which are not puffers in the conventional sense), no new velocity was obtained after this until [[:Category:Patterns found by David Bell|David Bell]] found the first c/3 orthogonal puffer in April [[:Category:Patterns found in 1996|1996]]. Since then c/5 orthogonal puffers have also been found, the first by [[:Category:Patterns found by Tim Coe|Tim Coe]] in May [[:Category:Patterns found in 1997|1997]]. [[:Category:Patterns found by Jason Summers|Jason Summers]] built the first c/4 orthogonal puffer in January [[:Category:Patterns found in 1999|1999]], and the first 2c/5 orthogonal puffer in February 1999. | A '''puffer''' (or '''puffer train''') is an object that moves like a [[spaceship]], except that it leaves debris behind. The first known puffers were found by [[:Category:Patterns found by Bill Gosper|Bill Gosper]] and travelled at c/2 orthogonally (see [[puffer 1]] for the very first one, found in [[:Category:Patterns found in 1971|1971]]). Not long afterwards, c/12 diagonal puffers were found (see [[switch engine]]). Discounting [[wickstretcher]]s (which are not puffers in the conventional sense), no new velocity was obtained after this until [[:Category:Patterns found by David Bell|David Bell]] found the first c/3 orthogonal puffer in April [[:Category:Patterns found in 1996|1996]]. Since then c/5 orthogonal puffers have also been found, the first by [[:Category:Patterns found by Tim Coe|Tim Coe]] in May [[:Category:Patterns found in 1997|1997]]. [[:Category:Patterns found by Jason Summers|Jason Summers]] built the first c/4 orthogonal puffer in January [[:Category:Patterns found in 1999|1999]], and the first 2c/5 orthogonal puffer in February 1999. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 13:57, 19 April 2009
A puffer (or puffer train) is an object that moves like a spaceship, except that it leaves debris behind. The first known puffers were found by Bill Gosper and travelled at c/2 orthogonally (see puffer 1 for the very first one, found in 1971). Not long afterwards, c/12 diagonal puffers were found (see switch engine). Discounting wickstretchers (which are not puffers in the conventional sense), no new velocity was obtained after this until David Bell found the first c/3 orthogonal puffer in April 1996. Since then c/5 orthogonal puffers have also been found, the first by Tim Coe in May 1997. Jason Summers built the first c/4 orthogonal puffer in January 1999, and the first 2c/5 orthogonal puffer in February 1999.
See also
External links
Puffer at the Life Lexicon