Nor did he invent "tensegrity" structures, his Dymaxion car was a deathtrap, his plan for a dome covering Manhattan was ludicrous, and his Biosphere dome at the Montreal Expo was a disaster.
I'm struck by the #1 street cred of all time! Front row at Esalen in 1967, just can't be beat. When someone says "I was at Woodstock", oh yea Esalen 67, with old lady in tow! Lololol jajajaja kkkkkk
Thanks for the honesty! Many people would have been to embarrassed to admit to this truth in your place, so a sincere hat tip for that & also thanks for the great info!
I had read Lloyd Steven Sieden's "Buckminster Fuller's Universe" years ago before ever knowing who Buckminster Fuller was. That biography praises Fuller and portrays his failures as visionary, but had failed because they were too ahead of their time or sabotaged by industry insiders. Looking into his work myself, I don't see anything more than a failed inventor and a very successful marketer whose lasting ideas were unoriginal and caught on because he coined a corny mid-century term like "dymaxion" or "tensegrity".
I remember going with my mom to see Buckminster Fuller speak at College of Marin. She was a huge fan, and I was too little to know any better. Thanks for the information and realistic look at some of his inventions. Taking credit for someone else's work is unacceptable and I'm sorry that Ziess and Snelson didn't get their due.
I remember when you stopped publication of the Dome book, and was impressed when I heard why. There are too many taking credit for others' work, some which shouldn't be made. Frank Lloyd Wright should have given credit to Marion Mahony Griffin. Le Corbusier also made many bad designs, and took credit for work from two different women architects, Eileen Gray who designed and built E-1027 Villa, and Charlotte Perriand, who designed most interiors, including kitchens, and furniture for his structures. One day . .
Always enjoyed your work and agree with you on these matters. If you are ever in Ft Bragg CA, stop by. Snelson was a dear friend of mine and as a promise to him I conserve his Legacy work.
My Costa Rican friends were just talking about the scourge of geodesic Dome Airbnbs ruining the landscape in Monte Verde. They say they look like giant pimples on the mountains.
I'm struck by the #1 street cred of all time! Front row at Esalen in 1967, just can't be beat. When someone says "I was at Woodstock", oh yea Esalen 67, with old lady in tow! Lololol jajajaja kkkkkk
Thanks for the honesty! Many people would have been to embarrassed to admit to this truth in your place, so a sincere hat tip for that & also thanks for the great info!
PS Acrylic is not merely flammable; it is also carcinogenous AF.
I had read Lloyd Steven Sieden's "Buckminster Fuller's Universe" years ago before ever knowing who Buckminster Fuller was. That biography praises Fuller and portrays his failures as visionary, but had failed because they were too ahead of their time or sabotaged by industry insiders. Looking into his work myself, I don't see anything more than a failed inventor and a very successful marketer whose lasting ideas were unoriginal and caught on because he coined a corny mid-century term like "dymaxion" or "tensegrity".
Thanks. I've been saying this, with less delicious detail, for a long time.
https://polistrasmill.com/2026/06/04/bucky-was-a-fucking-idiot/
I remember going with my mom to see Buckminster Fuller speak at College of Marin. She was a huge fan, and I was too little to know any better. Thanks for the information and realistic look at some of his inventions. Taking credit for someone else's work is unacceptable and I'm sorry that Ziess and Snelson didn't get their due.
I remember when you stopped publication of the Dome book, and was impressed when I heard why. There are too many taking credit for others' work, some which shouldn't be made. Frank Lloyd Wright should have given credit to Marion Mahony Griffin. Le Corbusier also made many bad designs, and took credit for work from two different women architects, Eileen Gray who designed and built E-1027 Villa, and Charlotte Perriand, who designed most interiors, including kitchens, and furniture for his structures. One day . .
Did not know. Thanks for sharing what you have learned instead if doubling down like some would (or just ignoring and moving on). Appreciate you
You are a gift, sir. Thank you for sharing your amazing heart and brain and experiences.
Always enjoyed your work and agree with you on these matters. If you are ever in Ft Bragg CA, stop by. Snelson was a dear friend of mine and as a promise to him I conserve his Legacy work.
Best,
Philip Stewart
Wow. That’s all she wrote for the domes. Your books were still a fun read though.
My Costa Rican friends were just talking about the scourge of geodesic Dome Airbnbs ruining the landscape in Monte Verde. They say they look like giant pimples on the mountains.
Wow! Thank you, Lloyd! My dad was a Bucky fan; he would be fascinated by your research were he still alive.
Wondering if you know much about the”New Alchemists” in Massachusetts
What ever happened to them and their house/living structure? .,,,, morphed into Earth-Ships ?
Interesting and thanks for the clarification, always thought Bucky was a genius. Now maybe have to think twice about that!
Bucky is busted. Spike