Antique miniature spinning wheel automaton made of bone

This interesting automaton of a woman spinning wool is currently for sale on ebay. When the handle is turned, the spinning wheel spins. The female figure lifts her left arm, pulling the wool, as she turns her head from side to side.

The piece measures 1-1/4 inches wide by 2 inches long and a little over 4 inches high. While the seller is not certain of its provenance, a search on the internet revealed similar examples that were described as "French Prisoner of War creations", which were made from scraps of cow and pig bone. The prisoner of war notion certainly adds a lot of interest and backstory if true. The piece is possibly from the 1840s.

I love the small spur gear and the mating lantern pinion. I also love the shape of the handle as well as the pulley that drives the spinning wheel. The material, whatever it is, is interesting and looks like it machines or carves well. A fascinating piece of kinetic folk art.

Check out a bunch of large, detailed photographs as well as the rather hot bidding action on this antique miniature spinning wheel automaton.

---

Junghans clock with spinning acrobat automaton

I've done a few posts about sand-powered acrobat toys. The falling sand is caught by something that looks like a water wheel, causing it to turn. The wheel is mounted on an axle, one end of which terminates in a small crank on to which an articulated acrobat figure is placed. The spinning axle causes the acrobat to do all sorts of athletic-looking moves. The Junghans acrobat clock shown here works in a very similar manner -- minus the sand, of course. This beautiful piece was restored by the mechanically multi-talented Kevin Wright.

See more restorations and original mechanical creations by Kevin Wright on his web site.

---

Gyroscope toy: still crazy after all these years

Maybe it's just the soundtrack, but this video from ThinkGeek makes the good old gyroscope toy look pretty entertaining. I've read about them in basic physics books and I have to admit...it still looks like magic to me!

Here a bit from their write up of the toy:

The toy gyroscope hit the market in 1917 and hasn't changed much since your grandparents (or great-grandparents!) played with one. This classic toy fascinates us with its gravity defying stunts, which are easy to learn with a bit of practice. Wind the string, pull it quickly, and the Original Gyroscope will start spinning. Want it to walk a tightrope? Balance on your hand or head? Tilt at impossible angles without falling? You can do it with the power of physics.

Here is the ThinkGeek listing for the Original Gyroscope Toy.

---

Classic acrobat toy driven by push button-action

Here's a nice version of a classic wooden folk toy. An acrobat figure is mounted by the hands to two twisted strings held between two upright bars. When the button is pushed, the bars are separated, causing the strings to untwist. It's this untwisting motion that makes the acrobat perform speedy somersaults. Unlike the more traditional version where you use your hand to squeeze the bars, the version shown in the video has been converted to operate via a large push-button. This clever adaptation of a classic toy is by Roberto Lou Ma, who was kind enough to share with us the plans for the ramp-walking robot and ramp-walking rhino.

For plans and instructions on how to make the traditional acrobat toy, I urge you check out the book Traditional Wooden Toys: Their History and How to Make Them. The book has sections on animated toys, balancing toys, climbing toys, wheeled toys, wooden dolls, rubber-band powered toys, spinning toys, optical toys, games, and many others.

---

Dremelcpter - DIY wood toy flies over 100 feet

Here's an impressive flying toy made from wood -- though I hesitate to call it a "toy" because it is launched by a Dremel rotary tool which spins the 5 inch diameter fan at several thousand RPMs! The author says it can go well over 100 feet. There are complete step-by-step instructions and downloadable plan drawings on the instructables web site. You will need a laser cutter, or order some parts cut by one to complete this project.

Here is a link to the instructable for the DREMELCOPTER.

---

Avalanche kinetic sculpture - by David C. Roy

Check out this spring-driven kinetic wooden sculpture titled 'Avalance' by David C. Roy. This particular sculpture runs for many hours on a single winding.


See more Kinetic Sculptures by David C. Roy at woodthatworks.com

---

Book: The Art And Craft of Whirligig Construction

Here's a book with 12 different whirligig projects with a lot of good general information on making moving things from wood and metal.

From the book description:

Over 50 color photos, 80 patterns and mechanical drawings, with clear, concise, step-by-step instructions, reveal all the reader must know to successfully create twelve original whirligig projects made from wood and/or metal, including imaginative, original designs that all will enjoy. Each project has been designed, built, and tested by the author to ensure success. The detailed text provides tips for simplifying layout and construction techniques, the proper use of bearings and balance to spin whirligigs in minimal wind, along with practical woodworking, metalworking, and decorating techniques.

Here's a link to the book The Art And Craft of Whirligig Construction.

---

Interesting repelling magnets on spinning wheels

I don't read (or speak) Japanese, but I think what we are looking at in this video are two spoked wheels with magnets on the ends -- each wheel having the opposite pole from the other. Some interesting and unexpected motions result!

Amazon's very cool Industrial & Scientific section has a huge selection of magnets if you are inclined to do some experimenting of your own.

---

Levitron - floating top supported by magnets

The Levitron top floats in space -- supported only by magnetic waves and the balance imparted by the spinning top. This is the upscale version of the Levitron featuring a cherry wood housing and brass leveling legs. Very nice.

From the product description

Classiest Levitron Anti-Gravity Top - Elegant, wood housing with brass-tone leveling legs. Unique base design amazes onlookers as the high-flying top levitates mysteriously above the opening in the center! Strong magnetic forces hold the top and lifter plate securely in place for easy carrying and storage. A Self-Starter is highly recommended for purchase with Leviton Cherry Wood. Ease in setting the top is essential for not damaging the elegant cherry wood.

Here's the link to the Levitron in cherry wood and brass.

---