Article on how to make a simple ratchet mechanism out of wood

The latest installment of my quarterly column on automaton-making techniques is now live! Dug’s Automata Tips, Techniques and Tricks No. 11 shows a step-by-step procedure for making a simple ratchet mechanism out of wood. The ratchet is advanced on tooth at a time by a driving pawl which is powered by a hand-crank. This can be an easy way to extend the duration of an automaton's performance. Simply attach some of the automaton's actions to the axle that is being slowly advanced, one step at a time. Meanwhile, a more fast paced set of actions can be driven off of the same axle to which the driving pawl is attached.

Need an example? Imagine that the figure of a man with a car jack is driven by a mechanism (probably a cam) attached to the driving pawl. Every time the hand of the automaton makes a rotation, the man could raise and lower the handle on the jack. Next, imaging that a car jack is connected to the same axle as the ratchet that is being driven. It would rise a fixed increment for every rotation of the automaton handle. It's not an exciting example, but it should give you an idea for how the two axles, while operating simultaneously, have a different pace and type of motion. One is continuous complete rotary motion. The other is partial intermittent motion.

The rest is up to you! I hope you enjoy the article on how to make a simple ratchet out of wood.

-Dug North

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A Useless Machine device that is in danger of NOT being useless

I'm sure you've seen some variation on The Most Useless Machine? Perhaps your read about the kit I posted about here on The Automata Blog or maybe you saw my own take on the gadget. Mine uses a miniature trunk in place of the generic box and a hand-carved fist punches the button closed.

The version shown here is in danger of NOT being useless because it is so highly inventive and entertaining. I won't bother to try to describe all that it does, but rest assured, it does more than just turn itself off!

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Classic rabbit-in-a-head-of-cabbage automaton with an early electric component

This historical gem comes to us by way of Michael Start at The House of Automata. This is an interesting and unusual version of the classic Rabbit-in-a-Cabbage automaton, dating to the 1930s.

From Michael Start's description:

A Rabbit in a Cabbage automaton dating from the 1930's and labelled as "made in Austria". Owned by the same family since new and housed in its original box. The clockwork automaton has a battery compartment under one of the leaves and this battery is used to light up the eyes. An early example of the use of battery operation for entertainment. This model was usually made by Roullet & Decamps of Paris. Shown here on my bedside table with the lights dimmed so the red eyes illuminate well.

See more wonderful vintage and antique automata at The House of Automata web site.

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Opportunity - a welded steel rolling-ball sculpture by Tom Harold

Here is a new rolling ball sculpture from artist Tom Harold titled Opportunity. I really like the tone-emitting ball drops!

From the video description:

It measures 52.5" x 33" x 11" and is made entirely of welded steel, clear coated to prevent rust. It features a motor-driven chain lift effortlessly supplying marbles to the topmost track that then divides into two tracks via a tipper-style track splitter. Once on their way, the marbles encounter a number of entertaining devices including a chime, four tone-emitting ball drops, three 360-degree loops, two spirals, wavy track, a four-ball collector, and a coil plus elements made from tubing, welded rings and over 51 feet of track with dips, curves and bends.

To check out additional kinetic art by Tom Harold on his web site or inquire commissioning a piece of fascinating by the artist.

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Gears shaped like fish that actually mesh and turn? Absolutely!

Check out this interesting project by Clayton Boyer and Forrest Burrnett featured in Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts issue 51, due out the summer of 2013.

Not only are these gears shaped like fish, but they have a very interesting intermittent motion. When the drive gear makes a revolution, it spins each of the smaller gears just one turn in sequence. The smaller gears remain stationary during the remainder of the cycle.

[ Thanks Charles! ]

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The Musée Mécanique - making people smile one coin at a time

Here is a wonderfully produced video profile of the Musée Mécanique -- one of the world's largest privately owned collections of mechanically operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines. Located in San Fransciso at Pier 45 at of Fisherman's Wharf, the Musée features every imaginable kind of mechanical amusement from turn-of-the-century hand-cranked music boxes to modern video arcade games.

Learn more about The Musee Mechanique on their web site.

[ Thanks Aaron! ]

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Slide sequence shows the process of making a wood automaton

This great slide sequence shows every step of the process of making three wood automata. The pieces are well crafted which makes the slides very informative.

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Video of flying saucer window display by Baranger Company of South Pasedena

Check out this rare set of Baranger window display from 1953 featuring a newlywed couple in a flying saucer. Baranger Motion machines were animated mechanical store window displays made from 1925 to 1959^* by the Baranger Company of South Pasadena, California. They were typically rented to jewelers and were changed on a monthly rotation.

Here is a link to a rare book on the subject: Baranger: Window displays in motion: dramatizing the jewel

Here is a link to an eBay listing for a DVD featuring many Baranger displays in motion: Baranger Studios Jewelry store Window Display in Motion DVD.

Key Dates:
1920 - (approx.) Baranger Studios commenced operations.
1925 - A new building in South Pasadena was completed. The company supplied static window display material to Jewellery stores.
1936 - A disastrous fire ended production of static displays.
1937 - Motion displays were introduced (M-1 Bridal Ensemble).
1957 - The final motion is M-247 Sultan’s Wedding March. A total of 167 different motions were produced not 247 - 250 as is often reported.
1959 - Founder Arch. E. Baranger died in December. Mrs. Baranger continued to operate the business after her husband’s death but no new motions were created.
1960 - Robert Gerlach, who was the designer of the motions retired in January following the death of A. E. Baranger.
1977 - In March the company notified its customers that the motion display department was closing. Customers were offered the opportunity to purchase motions in their possession for $350 each.
1978 - The building and stock were bought by Burton A. Burton. John A. Daniel was put in charge of repairing motions and selling duplicates. He became a collector of them. 1986 Daniel sold his collection of 90 motions to Teruhisa Kitahara.
Kitahara incorrectly states that more than 250 motions were produced but could only claim to have 101 different motions in his collection in 1988. John Daniel subsequently bought the remaining stock of motions from Burton A. Burton.
1993 - Daniel published a 60 minute VHS video showing 122 motions.
2001 - Daniel published a book showing images of all the motions plus a history of the business.

[ Thanks Thomas! ]

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Babylon Vampire: blood-drinking automaton by Thomas Kuntz

Check out this macabre blood drinking automaton by master automaton-maker, Thomas Kuntz. The automaton was designed, sculpted, painted, and mechanized by Thomas Kuntz. The mechanism consists of brass cams, levers and assorted components, all machined by the artist. The figure's costume was made by specialty costumer, Blake Bolger. The figure pours fresh blood from the severed head of his victim into a tankard and drinks it delightfully. Meanwhile, a headless figure drums a beat for each poor soul who came before and those doomed to follow.

See more incredible automata by Thomas Kuntz on his web site.

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Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams - documentary about automata by Simon Schaffer

You MUST check out this incredible BBC documentary. Presented by Simon Schaffer, the documentary tells the story of automata -- those amazing clockwork machines designed to mimic and recreate life.

From the documentary description:

The film brings the past to life in vivid detail as we see how and why these masterpieces were built. Travelling around Europe, Simon uncovers the history of these machines and shows us some of the most spectacular examples, from an entire working automaton city to a small boy who can be programmed to write and even a device that can play chess. All the machines Simon visits show a level of technical sophistication and ambition that still amazes today.

Schaffer also explains the world in which these mechanical marvels were made: the workers who built them, their role in trade and the industrial revolution, as well as providing information on the designers who invented them. Finally, he shows that these fantastic hybrids of art and engineering are the ancestors of many of our most beloved modern devices.

Here is a link to the BBC page about the documentary Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams.

[ Thanks to all who sent this my way! ]

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Magician automaton transforms some surprising items under his hat

Here is an automaton by Dave Goodchild, made in 2005. The automaton depicts a magician performing the classic 'different items appearing from under a top hat' routine -- in this instance, a rabbit, a dove, a banana, and then finally a miniature version of the magician himself performing the trick. Very recursive! Magicians and historians should note the small red imp whispering into the conjuor's ear, a common trope in in advertising posters for magic shows in the 1800s. Bravo!

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In Memoriam: Vollis Simpson, Master of the Whirligig (1919 - 2013)

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Vollis Simpson over the weekend. He was a talented and dedicated man who delighted and inspiration countless people with his kinetic art.

Here is a full profile of Vollis Simpson's life and career from The Wilson Times (North Carolina).

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