What does the term cone bring to mind? Ice cream? Maybe pinecones? What about those megaphones that the pep-squad used to use before they invented wireless mics? I think the cone is one of the most interesting shapes in creation, and lately I have viewed them through a new lens.

Anyone who has spent much time in West Texas in the summer knows why I looked forward to our July Gordon Family Road Trips to New Mexico and Colorado. One of my favorite stretches of road is on Highway 87, connecting Texline to Clayton to Raton. The two-lane ribbon of highway begins in the plains and traverses a dormant volcanic valley to the foothills of the Rockies. About halfway along that trip, you come to Capulin, a spectacular old volcano with a manmade road winding its way up the side. From the top of this cone, I’m told you can see 300 miles and into four states!

But that’s just the beginning. Cones are found in the most minute and basic of all structures. They form the basic fabric of carbon, which itself is the basic building block of all of life. Cones are the specialized color-sensing part of the retina (missing from your colorblind dog’s eye). Cones are all over our baseball field in the form of anthills. And volcanoes across the galaxy are cone-shaped. In fact, cones are so surprisingly common that we hardly take notice. But when you really consider the diversity and commonality of the conical structure, it’s amazing!

You’ll find that the overall purpose of this site is not to scientifically prove a postulate, but to share with you some of the wonder that is “hidden in plain sight.” Not one is the same, but all are similar. Freakishly similar! They can argue ‘til the cows come home that it’s all just a giant cosmic coincidence, but wow—I’m sticking to the easier explanation that the Designer of the cone shape likes it and is sticking to his prototype!