Complex sand-powered magician automaton made largely of paper performs like clockwork versions

Jeremie Ryder, Conservator of the Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum recently passed this fascinating link on to me with some information. The video shows a fairly complex automaton performing the classic cups and balls magic routine. What makes this remarkable is that it is powered by sand and made largely of paper. Ryder goes on to explain it's other interesting aspects:

...an unusual and somewhat complex sand toy, which incorporates a program barrel -- the first I think I've seen like this. There is no name associated with it, but I'd guess at possibly French origin, circa 1860-90. There's hardly any solid research or articles about the history, makers, or countries of origin. One of the main high-end sellers of these was at the Palais Royal in Paris, Pierre Landras, a toy merchant, operating around the 1830's to 50's period.

He goes on to note that this Conjurer is reminiscent of a clockwork-driven automaton because there is more friction involved in moving the multiple levers needed to read the barrel, actuate the objects, as well as the figure's arms and head. A similar example is depicted in an old book on magic effects (shown below).

The book is a classic on stage illusions performed by Robert-Houdin, Bautier de Kolta, Maskelyne, and others. Containing over 400 illustrations, it features detailed descriptions of techniques of fire eaters, sword swallowers, jugglers, acrobats. Most interesting to readers of this blog would be the sections on ancient magic and automata.

Here is where you can get Magic: Stage Illusions, Special Effects and Trick Photography.

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Dreamtime - moving figure makes patterns in sand

Artist Tom Haney is continuing to explore the idea of a figure interacting with sand. In this new piece, Dreamtime, a figure gracefully combs sand as she sits on a small spinning platform.

From Tom Haney:

She has a peaceful, contemplative aura to her face and posture, and exists in a most tranquil setting. An antique glass case holds the piece and its motor is hidden inconspicuously in a compartment underneath the sand. Two lights, which help bring out the texture of the sand, illuminate the scene. I'm very pleased with the way this piece came out, and with the calming effect it has on its viewers.

I had the pleasure of seeing this piece first hand recently in the Boston area and was captivated by the figure, motion and pattern in the sand. The sculpture measures 13" x 19" x 13" and is currently available at Obsolete.

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The Scribe Clock: amazing water clock by al-Jazari

A short time ago, we posted about the amazing Elephant clock by the ancient inventor and engineer, al-Jazari. This video demonstrates the workings of a simpler, but nevertheless ingenious water clock.

Like most water clocks, also known as a clepsydra, the flow of water measures the passage of time. In this clock, al-Jazari placed a float on the surface of the water. Though buoyant, the float does have weight. As the water level falls, the weight also falls. Ropes (probably fine chains) and pulleys transfer the the linear pull of the weight into the rotary motion of a vertical axle. A scribe figure attached to this rotating axle will then spin slowly, the rod in his hand pointing to the hour of the day.

Several things make this water clock interesting. First, the use of the figure places it in a category with automata. Second, standing at 1.5 meters high the clock is large -- and no doubt heavy -- but still portable. That's most useful. Third, the reservoir that holds the water has been tapered in an effort to keep the flow of water at a constant rate. This would have made the clock more accurate than a straight-sided tank. Finally, this was designed 800 years ago!

You can learn more about water clocks, as well as other ancient forms of time-keeping from this volume of The Time Museum, a book which also covers sand-glasses and fire-clocks.

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Alfred the circus trapeze acrobat automaton toy

Here's a vintage sand-powered automaton toy currently on ebay -- ALFRED THE ACROBATIC BAFFLEMENT THE FLYING MARVEL.

From the toy description:

When the box is rotated counter-clockwise 4 or 5 times and then rotated once clockwise the paper acrobat twirls and spins actively. The sand in the back of the sealed box turns a wheel (axle) and the trapeze artist does his acrobatic wonders and extremely dangerous feats of daring and thrills, and he doesn't use a net.

Here's where you can see additional pictures get a lot of details about Alfred the circus trapeze acrobat automaton toy.

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Ingenium: Five Machines That Changed the World

In his book Ingenium, physicist Mark Denny examanes five devices -- the bow and arrow, the waterwheel, the counterpoise siege engine, the pendulum clock anchor escapement, and the centrifugal governor. The author combines narrative, illustrations, and even equations to cover the history of each device. As a physicist, he is able to explain the physics behind each machine, how it was used, how it changed over time, and the impact they had on the world.

Here's where you can learn more about the book Ingenium: Five Machines That Changed the World

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Sand powered acrobat automaton mechanism

Michael Start from The House of Automata sent along this nice video of a sand-powered acrobat automaton.

From the video description:

Made for a National Museum. The Acrobat is a copy of a Victorian example but strongly made and with a Perspex back to allow the public to operate it and inspect the mechanism. Note the use of a suspended glass bearing as per the original.

[ Thanks Michael! ]

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Weight-driven clock with a sand escapement

The clock shown here is a sort of endless hourglass. The large weight-driven clock uses the passing of sand through a circular series of connected hourglasses to regulate the passing of time. A very novel concept and and a fine piece or kinetic sculpture!

While a bit more conventional, here is where you can get various sand timers.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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