No label defined (Q4023601)

Let \(k\) be a simple closed curve in a Euclidean plane. A point \(R\) of this plane is called an equichordal point (pseudocentre; Speichenpunkt) of \(k\) if every line through \(R\) cuts \(k\) in exactly two points with distance \(d\). The constant \(d\) is called the length of the spoke (Speichenlänge) of \(k\). An equichordal curve (E-curve; Doppelspeichenkurve [cf. \textit{W. Blaschke}, \textit{H. Rothe} and \textit{R. Weitzenböck}, Aufgabe 552, Arch. Math. Phys. 27, 82 (1917)] is a curve with two different equichordal points. The equichordal problem asks whether there exists an E-curve. In this note the author discusses E-curves and their properties. He gives a historical review on this field and furthermore own results. \textit{M. Fujiwara} [Tôhoku Math. J. 10, 99--103 (1916; JFM 46.1117.01)] had given first results on E-curves. Then in 1958 the most of important results were given by \textit{E. Wirsing} [Arch. Math. 9, 300--307 (1958; Zbl 0083.38404)]. The author presents new proofs and results often using special sequences (zentrale Folgen). At the end he discusses results of other authors. In the last years some papers on the equichordal problem are published, for example the notes of \textit{G. Michelacci} and \textit{A. Volčič} [Arch. Math. 55, 599-609 (1990; Zbl 0698.52001)] and \textit{R. Schäfke} and \textit{H. Volkmer} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 425, 9--60 (1992; Zbl 0781.53005), see the following review] which seem to be on the way to confirm the old conjecture of the nonexistence of an equichordal curve.