Motion of rocking chair used to power a hat knitting machine

I think most of us would agree that the act of rocking in a rocking chair is an end in itself. It's soothing, but not necessarily productive. Or, is it? This clever mechanical mash-up combines a rocking chair with a knitting machine. The motion of the chair swaying back and forth is harnessed to power a the machine mounted to a frame above the chair, which slowly produces a knitted tube/hat.

The piece is entitled Rocking Knit and was crated by Damien Ludi and Colin Peillex who are associated with ECAL.

Feeling inspired? Onward, then! Here is where you can get your own hand-cranked knitting machine to use in a project of your own.

[ Found Via Laughing Squid ]

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Working replica of Mercedes from 1900 is powered by a Stirling engine

It's wonderful to see so many great bbooks and plans on Sterling Engines. Likewise there is a huge range of working Sterling Engine models around these days. Some of the nicest I've come across are those sold by Hammacher Schlemmer. Take for example the beautiful external combustion kraftwagen model I posted about last year. I don't know who exactly is producing these beautiful metal models for them, but they state that they are made in Germany.

This fully operational model is machine-tooled from solid brass, stainless steel, and aluminum. Power is supplied by the amazing Stirling Engine which uses the expansion and compression of air to turn the engine. An alcohol burner in the rear fuels the engine. These engines are remarkably efficient: full burner of ethyl alcohol allows the engine to operate for up to 15 minutes. Not keen on the idea of running an engine indoors. No worries: the exhaust is just steam and heat!

Here is where you can get the Mercedes model powered by a Stirling engine

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