Do you ever spend your day sitting at a desk and fidgeting with every possible thing? Daniel Hallman, a mathematics Ph.D. student at the University of Utah, has a solution. Utilizing his background in electrical engineering, he created Strobilos, a line of mesmerizing, kinetic desktop sculptures that give your brain something better to focus on.
Strobilos, a Greek word meaning a “twisted or spiraling object,” is the perfect name for Hallman’s company. These desktop sculptures rotate in such a way that they create smooth, hypnotic illusions, like springs within springs or curves that seem to fold into themselves.
Hallman is working with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah to grow his business idea, and he recently received a Get Seeded grant from the institute to support his effort.
Since he was young, Hallman has always been into mechanical things, whether it be watches, fidget spinners, or desk toys. But the idea for Strobilos really took off when he was deep into his Ph.D. program and realized he needed something else to focus on. “I should try and figure out something other than math stuff,” he said.
That moment of burnout led to exploration. A YouTube short about a drill cutting triangular holes (instead of round ones) sent him down a rabbit hole of geometry and rotational motion. The design concepts came first, and then the prototyping began, with heavy use of Desmos, the graphing software he uses to play with curves. “I’m going to work with AI to design my own software to design them in more crazy ways,” he added.
His first prototypes were made using the 3D printers at the Marriott Library, but that quickly became limiting. With funding from the Get Seeded program, he bought his own printer — and then a second one. “The library was a big help with their 3D printers, but I outgrew it,” he said.
He also used the grant to experiment with motors, breadboards, and stepper systems to create automated versions that would run silently. He’s currently refining the design so it’s quiet, smooth, and ready to share with the public.
When asked who Strobilos is for, Hallman kept it simple: “People like myself. A lot of white-collar workers who sit at a desk all day. It’s something fun to look at.” He sees it as more than just a toy — it’s an escape from digital overload. “It’s not a screen. You can stare at something that’s not a screen for once.”
Hallman’s end goal with structures is to produce something visually appealing and high quality. Right now, he is utilizing 3D printing, but he hopes to eventually use molds and add metallic finishes to them. He’s even considering electroplating for higher-end models. And while many entrepreneurs talk about the grind, Hallman’s found it refreshing. “I truly haven’t hit the challenges yet,” he said. “Compared to the Ph.D., all the work I put into this translated into growth.”
Long-term, he dreams of a dedicated workshop and larger-scale sculptures. “When I close my eyes and visualize, I’d like to have a workshop that’s a couple hundred square feet. I want to create giant versions of them,” he said.
Until then, he’s continuing to tweak, tinker, and test, turning spirals, springs, and smart design into something people actually want on their desks.
Learn more about Strobilos on Instagram: @strobilos_
