News segment about the Guinness Collection of automata and mechanical music in New Jersey

Here is a segment on the Morris Museum that was broadcast by WMBC-TV in the New York City & northern New Jersey area last weekend. The first two-thirds of the video is on the mechanical music instruments, and the rest is about the automata. Not only do we get to see and hear some of these wonderful machines, but we also get some valuable commentary from the both the Conservator and Curators of the collection. Ever wonder why so many of the old automata feature monkeys dressed up in fancy cloths? Watch the video to find out why!

Here is where you can learn more about the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey

---

Amazing Paper Pets: 6 Animated Animals to Make!

Paper automata are a great way to start making them, regardless of your tools, age, or skill-level. These are especially easy, since you don't even need to cut the paper pieces; they simply pop out. Rob Ives is a master of paper engineering. Trust me on this! He has put this book together so that you can make 6 different moving models:

• A gorilla beating his chest
• A pecking chicken
• A hopping kangaroo
• A dog that moves as if barking
• A goat that shakes his head
• A walking cat

Oh, and...you'll learn some things about basic mechanisms and physics making these fun automata too!

Here's where to order Amazing Paper Pets: 6 Animated Animals to Make

---

New automata column on The Mechanical Blog

I am thrilled and honored to have contributed the first article in what will be an ongoing series for the wonderful folks at Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. In this first article, I share some things I learned from building a clock made entirely of wood. The column -- titled Dug's Automata Tips, Techniques and Tricks -- will be published four times per year.

Here's the first of Dug's Automata Tips, Techniques and Tricks: Eight Lessons Learned from Making a Wooden Clock on the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre web site.

[ Thanks Sue and Sarah! ]

---

Antique automata and toy auction, July 25th 2009

An upcoming auction on July 25th, 2009 in Indianapolis will feature twelve vintage automata including a French 19th century monkey violinist automaton, a Tete Jumeau Russian tea server, a Prussian dancing couple, a French flower girl, a magician, and a cat in milk pail.

There will also be a large number of vintage toys including a large collection of tin wind-ups and battery operated toys, cast iron mechanical toys, pull toys, a balancing musician, a doll on horseback, and an acrobatic clown.

Here is a link with more photographs and information on the upcoming automata and vintage toy auction.

[ Thanks Genevieve! ]

---

The imaginary universe of artist Robert Coudray

The Poète Ferrailleur (scrap merchant poet) Museum at La Ville Stéphant, houses an imaginary universe created by a French artist Robert Coudray of France.

See more by this artist on Robert Coudray's web site.

[ Thanks philsing! ]

---

Osamu Kanda automaton of figures moving frame

Here's a wonderful video of an automaton by Osamu Kanda depicting two figures sliding a frame back and forth. It's a nice example of figures being moved by the part they seem to be moving.

See more work by Osamu Kanda on his web site.

[ Thanks Falk! ]

---

3 classic automata from Fourteen Balls Toy Co.

Late last month I got word from Matt Smith at Fourteen Balls Toy Company that they would be making some new editions of classic Fourteen Balls automata. Among the editions to be made are:

The Misers Deathbed

An Allegory of love

Being Followed

Check out all of their amazing creations at Fourteen Balls Toy Company.

---