9th graders create giant mechanical representation of the rise and fall of civilizations

Titled Apocalypto, this huge kinetic sculpture was created by 9th graders for a class exercise to explore the rise and fall of human civilizations.

From the project description:

Students created physical manifestations of their social theories using mechanical apparatus. They were given a blank template space to work within and specifications for their mechanism to mate with the larger class gear. Groups deconstructed their theories into logical steps and proposed a way to mechanically represent each aspect of their theory.

It's a remarkable approach to the study of history with a fantastic resulting project. Congratulations to the entire class, and educator Scott Swaaley! Here's where you can learn more about Apocalypto.

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Complex sand-powered magician automaton made largely of paper performs like clockwork versions

Jeremie Ryder, Conservator of the Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum recently passed this fascinating link on to me with some information. The video shows a fairly complex automaton performing the classic cups and balls magic routine. What makes this remarkable is that it is powered by sand and made largely of paper. Ryder goes on to explain it's other interesting aspects:

...an unusual and somewhat complex sand toy, which incorporates a program barrel -- the first I think I've seen like this. There is no name associated with it, but I'd guess at possibly French origin, circa 1860-90. There's hardly any solid research or articles about the history, makers, or countries of origin. One of the main high-end sellers of these was at the Palais Royal in Paris, Pierre Landras, a toy merchant, operating around the 1830's to 50's period.

He goes on to note that this Conjurer is reminiscent of a clockwork-driven automaton because there is more friction involved in moving the multiple levers needed to read the barrel, actuate the objects, as well as the figure's arms and head. A similar example is depicted in an old book on magic effects (shown below).

The book is a classic on stage illusions performed by Robert-Houdin, Bautier de Kolta, Maskelyne, and others. Containing over 400 illustrations, it features detailed descriptions of techniques of fire eaters, sword swallowers, jugglers, acrobats. Most interesting to readers of this blog would be the sections on ancient magic and automata.

Here is where you can get Magic: Stage Illusions, Special Effects and Trick Photography.

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Beautiful and complex multi-dial automaton skeleton clock

Check out this incredible multi-dial clock created by François-Joseph Hartmann (1793-1830), a clockmaker who worked in Paris. The clock features rarely seen automata, two calendars, the age and phases of the moon, the times of sunrise and sunset, the equation of time, world time and the signs of the zodiac! It is believed to be from 1801.

From the La Pendulerie web site:

When the lever is pushed a polished steel whirligig with mirrored glass background, set above a twin-headed fountain with winged leopard heads mounted with twisted steel rods to imitate running water, is simultaneously activated. The shaped rectangular base features a central palmette frieze flanked by ribbon-tied wreaths; it is raised on six turned feet.

The central sprung panel opens when a lever is pulled, revealing the spring-barrel movement for the animations. Mounted on a substantial oak mahogany-veneered baseboard supported on flattened ball feet, the underside set with a facetted sprung steel shaft and cone terminal, activating the automata work by means of a handle that activates a lever and thence the columns, whirligig and fountain. - See more at: http://www.lapendulerie.com/Hartmann-Coteau-Exceptional-Mutli-dial-automaton-skeleton-clock-DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=6&tabindex=5&objectid=584068&categoryid=14437#sthash.8zrQ1krq.dpuf

Here is where you can read more and see additional photos of this multi-dial automaton skeleton clock.

[ Thanks Felix! ]

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Homemade mechanical rolling ball pendulum clock

Check this thing out! It's a mechanical rolling ball clock made from scratch.

From the video description:

The clock runs for 12 hours, driven by a weight of 2.5 kg sinking approx. 1 meter during that time. Every minute a marble is lifted up and goes down a marble run with three flipping traps that count marbles for minutes, five-minute-steps and hours. The timekeeping element is a second-pendulum with a pinwheel escapement. The clock achieves a drift of less than 1 second per day.

The clock is made of wood, some plastic gears, brass and steel wire, and an old flat iron. Here is where you can see stereoscopic photographs of the clock.

The clock is not unlike the Can You Imagine Time Machine Tabletop Clock. This clock has a battery-operated motor which lifts a steel ball bearing onto a concentric track at regular intervals. The ball then moves with others on a slow downward course, both halted and propelled by see-saws that tip when correctly weighted. The time can be read by observing the numerals that the balls are aligned with - hours and minutes are both indicated.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Two great antique automata collections in the United States

Here is a video on automata by CNN. In it you will meet Charles Penniman and the famous Maillardet automaton housed at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Mr. Penniman has been looking after this precious automaton for over 40 years. I had the pleasure of meeting both back in 2009, and am fond of both the man and the machine. I even got to wind the machine -- not something that every visitor gets to do. Here's a blog post about my visit to see the Maillardet automaton in 2009.

You will also get to meet Jeremy Ryder of the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey where he looks after the Murtogh D. Guinness collection of automata. If you have a chance, this collection is worth a visit. Ryder's expertise is a rare thing.

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Video of Clayton Boyer's marble strike movement

Take a look at this fascinating mechanism designed by wooden clock designer, Clayton Boyer. The marbles are lifted such that they count out an ever-increasing number of hours.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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The process of creating a kinetic boxer sculpture by Aaron Kramer

Artist Aaron Kramer created this wonderful kinetic sculpture of a boxer in motion. As is his custom, he started with a mechanism and no real plan. Working with metal, and joining it by welding allowed him to change and adapt the design on the fly. Here is a 19 minute video which documents the entire fascinating process. He has provided a running caption below the image providing insights into his thoughts and process.

From the artist:

I have always liked when others produce “process” videos. It gives me an insight into their brains that the finished piece doesn’t always reveal. Making things move is not a straight-line process. It involves putting together and taking apart a million times before you get it right. I like to see that messiness. It makes me feel human. In my case it took several thousand cranks and a whole lot of welds in order to breathe life into my little figure.

Here is where you cans see more art by Aaron Kramer.

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Beautiful old style automata by Gale and Andrew Bantock

Check out this automaton by Gale and Andrew Bantock. Gale is a 12th-scale miniaturist and model-maker. Gale's figures are all hand-sculpted one-of-a-kind models, normally clothed using a mixture of decorated paper, leather, and material. Her work has been featured in books and magazines around the world with a numerous cover features.

This piece features a classical scene of musicians playing a duet on piano and cello (or at least I think it is, perhaps its a viola). A number of other things in the scene are animated including a parrot in its cage and a cat hiding in a basket. The level of detail is really impressive.

Here is were you can see more miniatures by Gale Bantock.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Amazingly lifelike paper chameleon automaton powered by a small music box

Check out this very cleverly-constructed and lifelike chameleon automaton. The chameleon is about 8cm long and illuminated from within. After winding a key on the back, the creature comes to life, slowly shifting its weight on the branch and moving its eye around.

The automaton is cleverly-built in many respects. First, the paper figure is just amazing. Next, the entire thing is a reflection. This allows the actual model to be oriented horizontally, providing some design advantage. Also, the linkage that makes the eye move is magnetism!

The chameleon was made by papercraft artist Johan Scherft, who specializes in the design paper models of animals and mostly birds. Here is where you can see more artwork by Johan Scherft.

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