I just spotted this while reading someone else’s Christmas present.
“The more interesting pasta shapes, such as the shell-shaped conchiglie, or the ear-like orecchiette, didn’t just happen…Those clever twists and curls and flowing lines are much more drawing board than chopping board. Although as a sauce hound, I would suggest that Frank Gehry would probably make a better pasta designer than the late Mies van der Ruhe.”
– Nigel Slater, The Kitchen Diaries Volume 2.
Martin Gillie
If you are into the topology of pasta, then I recommend this Christmas you ask for
http://www.thamesandhudson.com/Pasta_by_Design/9780500515808
which gives you mathematical desciptions of dozens of pasta shapes. And a bit of cookery advice too.