JOEdecahedron | Roman Dodecahedron Figurine

The JOEdecahedron or Gallo-Roman dodecahedron is a small 3" to 3.5" hollow 3D printed replica in a regular dodecahedral shape with twelve flat pentagonal faces. Each face has a circular hole of varying diameter in the middle and each corner has a protruding knob. The protruding knobs require a simple pop in assembly.” Each JOEdecahedron is printed with industry standard we use PETG and PLA Filaments, cleaned and pre assembled except for the “knobs” that can be popped in. No gluing required. Some minor variations in size and color may occur.

So, What Even Is the JOEdecahedron?

Thanks for asking. The JOEdecahedron is based on a real thing: the ancient Roman dodecahedron. Historians have uncovered these mysterious metal doohickeys all over old Roman territories, and no one — literally no one — knows what they were used for. Seriously.

Of course, they have plenty of guesses. Measuring tools…maybe? Coin checkers…could be? Ancient pasta strainers…? Okay, maybe unlikely. But the point is that no one really knows; it's basically a 2,000-year-old question mark.

Naturally, that level of intrigue is right on brand for Joe.

"I'm obsessed with the fact that there are these metal things all over Rome, and no one knows what the hell they are," he said.

So, he naturally thought, "What if I made one, too? In my color… In 3D-printed glory. For my fans. For science. For… reasons." Hence: the JOEdecahedron.

And now you can have one, too.

Why Joe Really Made This Thing: Solve the Mystery (Or Just Be Weird About It)

Because Joe is obsessed with random historical mysteries, this whole Roman dodecahedron has been on his mind for a while. It's the kind of tactile, physical thing he rarely gets to talk about on his Joe Scott YouTube channel — since a lot of his topics are more "theoretical physics" and less "objects you can bonk someone with."

It's a curious, quirky, hold-it-in-your-hand kind of mystery. And because Joe knows his fans are just like him — smart, funny, slightly weird (in the best way) — he thought it was only right to honor the strange legacy of this Roman riddle by launching the JOEdecahedron Challenge.

Fans are invited to do something — anything — with the JOEdecahedron and share it with the Laugh Smarter crew. The stakes are about to be raised so high for an object that previously has no known purpose.

Whether you're solving an ancient mystery or using it as a napkin holder, Joe wants to see it.

"I'll be sharing my favorite submissions — and let's be real, probably roasting some of them — in a future video," he said. "No pressure, though. Just eternal internet glory."

The JOEdecahedron Challenge Deets

• Take a photo or video of what you're doing with your JOEdecahedron. Get weird. Get creative.
• Send it to: team@laughsmarter.com
• Deadline: July 15, 2025
• Post it on socials and use the hashtag: #JOEdecahedronChallenge