Paper models form the old Toy Shop computer program available online!

Back in the 1980s there was a program for the Commodore 64 computer called 'The Toy Shop'. The program allowed you to print out designs to make twenty paper models, many of which were kinetic. The models included trucks, airplanes, a carousel, a sundial, flying toys, a catapult, a working scale, several machines, a zoetrope and this amazing mechanical bank!

A wonderful web page documents all of the projects from The Toy Shop program, allowing you to download both the patterns and the instructions for free. Here is where you can view, download and make the 20 assorted projects from The Toy Shop software.

For more excellent paper models check out Paper Models That Move: 14 Ingenious Automata, and More. This book includes 14 whimsical projects for making automata out of cardstock. It is well-illustrated and explain the use of levers, gears, cranks, and other devices. The cut-and-assemble components allow papercrafters of modest skill and experience to build these models.

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Mechanical universal Turing machine uses ball bearings for memory

This charming contraption is described a "mechanical universal Turing machine". According the all-knowing Wikipedia:

A Turing machine is a hypothetical device that manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules. Despite its simplicity, a Turing machine can be adapted to simulate the logic of any computer algorithm, and is particularly useful in explaining the functions of a CPU inside a computer.

Here is a presentation by the maker, Jim MacArthur, describing the background of the machine. I gather the catch with this machine is that you have to assume that the length of track is infinite.

The machine was made mostly out of scrap metal and wood. The components include magnets, springs, cams and levers. It uses ball bearings as its memory. No electrical components were used, other than one small motor used to drive it.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Animatronic thumb provides unbiased decisions on demand

Take a look at this clever animatronic piece by Philip Lowndes. Though the piece is titled "Thumbs-up" that doesn't mean you will always get that sign. In fact, it is a capable of making random "yes" or "no" decisions based on its programming. The machine is equipped with a sensor that detects when a hand is waved in front of it, which sets it in motion.

From the artist's web site:

Animatronic moody decision making machine that makes decisions without bias, conflicts of interest, lobbying. No need for any background or relevant information. Just stand in front of the machine and it will give you its decisions. Useful for checking dress sense, purchase and investment decisions (at your own risk), strategies to save the Euro etc.

The piece is constructed from wood, nylon and brass. Toward the end of the video you can see the profile of some lovely wooden gears. The entire system is controlled by an Arduino microcontroller.

The mood of the machine can be changed to suit your needs by adjusting a knob on the front. Blue is a bad mood, green neutral, and yellow good.

Here is where you can learn more about the Thumbs-up Animatronic Decsion-Maker.

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