Bartosz Ciechanowski writes deep visual articles about subjects including mechanical watches, cameras, gears, engines, GPS and the Moon. Carefully controlled animations let you isolate a force or mechanism that static diagrams usually hide.
Enter through curiosity
The articles stand alone, so choose the subject whose mechanism you most want to understand. Each piece starts from familiar observations before adding the geometry and physics needed to explain what is happening underneath.
Control the explanation
Sliders, draggable objects and cutaway views expose one relationship at a time. Stop the motion, change a parameter and make a prediction before moving it again; active use reveals far more than simply watching the polished animation.
Make time for the full piece
These are substantial essays rather than quick interactives. Their value comes from the accumulation of careful steps, so save an article and return to it rather than skipping between the most spectacular models without their supporting explanation.
Things to know
- Articles are long and demand more attention than a typical web explainer.
- Complex interactive models can be heavy on older phones and computers.
- The archive follows the author’s interests rather than a complete curriculum.