Heath Robinson Contraptions - inventive cartoon contraptions

Yesterday's post about the Corkscrew contraption by Rob Higgs made mention of one of the Masters of the Contraption. While in the U.S. we may think of Rube Goldberg and his elaborate chain-reaction machines, in the U.K. they might be more inclined to think of Heath Robinson (1872 -1944). Robinson was an English cartoonist known for his drawings of improbable machines. Like Goldberg, his very name has become synonymous with quirky, ugly, improvised, silly, and overly-complex machines.

Here's an example of one of his drawings, though I should point out that this one is NOT in the book shown above.

From a review of the book:

Robinson's elementary mechanical world is brilliant and arcane--those ancient wooden cogwheels, intricate pulleys, fragile gantries, ingenious tunnels, magnets, and steam kettles kept on boil by a lighted candle or two; the whole enterprise held together by knotted string and operated by intensely serious workmen with a sprinkling of soberly top-hatted company directors in charge.

Here is a link to the book featuring Heath Robinson's drawings titled Heath Robinson Contraptions.

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The biggest, baddest hand-operated mechanical corkscrew in the universe

Artist Rob Higgs creates overly-complex machines that perform simple tasks. They seem inspired by pseudo-mechanical drawings of Rube Goldberg or Heath Robinson. I did a short post about the one shown here, titled Corkscrew, a few years ago, but didn't have video to show at the time. I think the video is essential to see the eerie mechanical beauty of 1000 pounds of machine as it goes about opening a bottle of wine. Mind you, it will also pour a glass for you too! I am in awe of the artist and his incredible machine.

[ Thanks Brian! ]

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