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How and Why Knots Spontaneously Form
palegray.net writes "Scientists believe they have found the underlying reasons why knots are so common in the universe. This research helps us understand how knotty arrangements in various molecules lead to biological patterns, as in certain proteins. The article also provides a look at the field of topology, and how it relates to knots."
Get a long sheet (about 50 cm x 2-5 meters, depending on the number of lights.) Starting at one end, wrap it around the short end of the rectangle, then fold it over about 10 cm. Repeat until all your lights are in a big cigar tube.
Have you been touched by his noodly appendage?
Google 'reverse coil' or 'overhand coil'. Wires tangle because people do not know how to coil them up correctly.
Shoelaces come undone due to the type of knot being used. There is an entire site http://www.shoeknots.com/ devoted to this, and another site http://shoelaceknot.com/shoelace/index.htm with exhaustive details on shoelaces in general.
[disclaimer: I maintain one of the sites]
I've found that rolling them up in a ball, like one would yarn, works absolutely perfectly. It never tangles. It's compact. It's easy. It seems a little counter-intuitive, but, if you think about it, why do women who knit or crotchet wrap their yarn in balls? Because it works!
Over-the-top Response Guy! Giving "Over-the-Top Responses" since 1970.
Umm... yeah, this actually is a real link. Way to go, mods.
It links to http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1133623-3,00.html.