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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Upgrade light switches with these clever mechanical add-ons

The father and son team of Lance and L. J. Nybye have come up with a wonderful line of mechanical add-ons for common light-switch covers. The mechanisms are typically cut with a laser from high-quality plywood and finished off with brass hardware. Additional decorations are engraved/burned into the parts with the laser.

From the online shop:

These mechanical light switches transform an ordinary appliance into the perfect flourish for your secret library, steampunk chalet—or wherever your imagination lives!

The mechanical switch covers install easily over a standard switch plate using the existing screws. In addition to the excellent lever-based switch shown in the video, they have a couple of other lovely designs.

Here is their one based on planetary gears...

And another design based on the rack and pinion mechanism...

Here is where you can get these mechanical switch-plate covers.

[ Thanks Jan and Julia! ]

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Artistic clock incorporating unexpected materials and mechanisms

Prepare to be amazed by this work of kinetic art disguised as a clock. The piece, titled The Clock Tower , was created by Forrest Burnett.

Within the design, there are all kinds of interesting details, artistic flourishes, and somewhat unexpected mechanisms. The Clock Tower incorporates various materials including wood, plywood, brass, steel, and several others I cannot name with confidence.

The mechanism includes (among many other things) bass ladder chain, a Geneva wheel with eight stations, and a centrifugal fly-ball governor. The text within the video notes that the clock uses an escapement 2 1/2 second timing. A dragon graces the dial of the clock itself.

This is some inventive and beautiful work that has been very well crafted.

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Huge kinetic sculpture animates a comical cartoon scene in plywood

Check out this kinetic relief sculpture by Jakob Bue titled Alchemechany. Bicycle cranks, sprockets and chain allow a person to the side of sculpture to set the scene in motion. A long serpentine chain behind the scene transfers motions to the inner parts of the wall-sized sculpture composed main of wood. The scene depicts cartoon man on the left frantically running and grasping for an object held at the end of a serpent's tongue on the opposite side. I love the cartoon style, the scale, the unabashed use of plywood as a surface material, and the choice of limiting the colors to black and white. I often say that contemporary automata are like single-panel cartoons set in motion; this piece is a perfect example.

See more sculptures by Jakob Blu on his web site.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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