Monday, August 15, 2011

Just Marginal Joints


Here is a joint distribution of wear on the counter top of a Home Depot. The counter top was originally white. This has worn away to reveal various layers of shading in the laminate and further into the underlying wood of the table. The innermost area has been actually gouged out by many tools, cans of paint, and other heavy hardware. We see nested triangular patterns of wear revealing the joint distribution of tool placement on the counter and their movement across the checkout scanner.

But wait. There's more, as they say on infomercials. Not only do we get the joint distribution of wear, we also get one marginal distribution of wear along the front edge of the counter. As customers drag their purchases onto or off of the counter they leave a bell-shaped pattern of use along that front edge.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Our Video

Award for Best Evidence of Inspiring Students at the 2011 Joint Statistical Meetings in Miami Beach. Double click on video for full screen.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

YADDA: Yet Another Door Distribution Again


This is an edge-on view of an open door. Notice the wear pattern along the edge. Another bell-shaped frequency distribution of wear.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Mc-Bell-Shaped


Wear caused by hands (fingers?) holding a door? Perhaps left hand fingers in the PULL slot and thumbs wearing away on the door edge. More frequent wear near the middle and less above and below. We've seen this pattern before, like here. There will be more to come. This pattern is quite common. Find one for yourself and share.