ABSTRACT
A 4-variable ordinary differential equation is described which possesses an axiom A attractor in the sense of Smale. The example presented shows that strange attractors can be expected in realistic systems. Contracting axiom A diffeomorphisms are mathematical formalizations of a taffy-puller, that is, a mechanical machine that mixes taffy (caramel mass) by successively stretching and folding it. The demonstration of differential equations implementing axiom A systems is of a certain mathematical interest. The original notion of a strange attractor was, of course, synonymous to an axiom A attractor in the sense of Smale. Nonetheless, the very prototypical nature of attracting axiom A chaos makes it desirable to a look at its ‘neighbors’ in parameter space. So far, the not - everywhere - differentiable competitor to axiom A - the class to which the contracting baker’s transformation belongs - has been the only class for which explicit O.D.E.’s have been found.
