  We perform experiments on thin-film diaphragms to show that the folding
patterns of anisotropically compressed diaphragms are strikingly different from
those of isotropically compressed ones. We then use a simple von Karman model
to relate the overall features of these folding patterns to the underlying
energetics. We show that the differences between the isotropic and anisotropic
cases can be traced back to fundamental changes in the energy structure of the
diaphragms. Finally, we point out that the energy structure of thin-film
diaphragms is similar to that of many other systems in physics and engineering,
into which our study may provide interesting insights.
