Video of AutomataCon 2016 at the Morris Museum

Here are a few clips to give you a sense for the magical experience that was AutomataCon 2016 held at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey. The event was the first of its kind in recent memory and exceeded all expectations. Attendees included new makers, experienced artists, historians, authors, restorers, collectors, magicians, special effects experts, horologists, and educators. Simply put, it was an incredible event!

Visit www.automatacon.org to learn more about this amazing event.

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Automaton clock depicts the goddess Diana on her chariot

Take a look at this antique automaton clock which depicts the goddess Diana on her chariot. The piece -- made around 1610 in Augsburg, Germany -- was recently recovered from storage. The automaton is made from gilt bronze and silver with an enameled dial. The case is ebony and gilt bronze and the movement itself is iron and brass. What a find!

From the video description:

Probably drawing inspiration from contemporary prints, the clock portrays the Roman goddess of the hunt, Diana, on a chariot pulled by two leopards. Precious clocks like this were collaborative enterprises among goldsmiths, sculptors, clockmakers, engravers, and even cabinetmakers. They were important status symbols in European courts, representative of the most cutting-edge technology of their time, and they were often used as diplomatic gifts. This clock—which has been recently restored and is now on view in the European art galleries—is also a table carriage, a lavish form of tabletop entertainment during banquets. This short video unveils the highly sophisticated inner mechanism of the clock, delicate parts that are otherwise hidden from view and are remarkably still in tact.

In the video above, we get a sampling of the movements and sounds the clock makes when wound and set running, including the Diana figure shooting her bow. Rare and valuable devices such as this were often used as entertainment by the elites of time. This one may well have been incorporated into a game played at the dinning table.

On loan from Yale University Art Gallery, the automaton clock is part of The Luxury of Time: European Clocks and Watches exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Via a post on Hyperallergic

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Artist Aaron Kramer interviews automaton legend Paul Spooner

What a treat! Here we have artist Aaron Kramer interviewing the inimitable Paul Spooner. I have always loved Paul Spooner's automata. He is one of the main reasons I ever became interested in the subject. I know he has inspired hundreds of others and delighted countless people with his mechanical wit.

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News segment about the Guinness Collection of automata and mechanical music in New Jersey

Here is a segment on the Morris Museum that was broadcast by WMBC-TV in the New York City & northern New Jersey area last weekend. The first two-thirds of the video is on the mechanical music instruments, and the rest is about the automata. Not only do we get to see and hear some of these wonderful machines, but we also get some valuable commentary from the both the Conservator and Curators of the collection. Ever wonder why so many of the old automata feature monkeys dressed up in fancy cloths? Watch the video to find out why!

Here is where you can learn more about the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey

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Tour of a paper automaton shop in Bremin, Germany

Here's a fun little tour of a paper automaton shop in Bremin, Germany. Many of the kits were made by the father of the young man giving the demonstrations.

If you are interested in making your own, check out some of these paper automaton kits and books. In the same order, you can get your tools such as a hobby knife, self-healing cutting mat, a good pair of scissors, and some white glue.

[ Thanks Karin! ]

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Automaton-making by master artist and machinist Thomas Kuntz

Thomas Kuntz and his incredible automata have been featured on this blog many times. There is a good reason for this: he is probably the most accomplished artist working in the medium of automata. He designs, engineers, sculpts, machines, fabricates, and decorates every element of his pieces. To be good at any one of these things is a major achievement; to be good at all of them is to be a master of the craft. There are few like him, and he is sure to be remembered as one of the greats. Enjoy this short film he created showing some of what goes into making his amazing auotata.

Here is where you can learn more about automaton-maker Thomas Kuntz.

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Profile of Will Matthysen hand his handmade wooden clocks

Check out this lovely profile of Will Matthysen who designs and makes clocks made almost entirely out of wood. Will Matthysen is a designer and maker of furniture. He works out of his workshop in Victoria, Australia. He has designed a variety of handcrafted clocks. Most are made largely from wood, but also may also include other materials such as brass, steel, and glass.

Visit his web site to learn more about Will Matthysen.

For more on the making of wooden clocks Wooden Clocks: 31 Favorite Projects & Patterns (Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Book). The ultimate project in the book is Wooden Gear Clock shown on the cover. In addition to the scale plans, photographs and step-by-step instructions there are also cross-sections and exploded diagrams showing how the wooden mechanism is assembled. Plans for this one clock are worth the price of the book. The remainder of the projects are for clocks with wooden cases with battery movements, which may not be as glamorous, but are far easier to make for less ambitious woodworkers or those looking for handmade gift ideas.

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Automaton-artist Tom Haney announces amazing new web site and portfolio

Automaton-artist, Tom Haney, has just announced the launch of a new web site. The site looks gorgeous and really highlights his outstanding work. He is in the process of creating a video for each of each piece going way back to 2006.

Here is a photo of one of his latest pieces, titled Retrofit.

Here is where you can see Tom Haney's new web site.

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Video of Clayton Boyer's marble strike movement

Take a look at this fascinating mechanism designed by wooden clock designer, Clayton Boyer. The marbles are lifted such that they count out an ever-increasing number of hours.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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A look inside Dug North's clock repair workshop

As some of you know, I made a career change last summer. I decided to switch from a computer-based job to one that was more in line with my passion for mechanical things. When I was given the opportunity to learn and do clock repair as a full time job, I had to take it. It's been an exciting and busy six months for me. I'm glad I took the leap.

Another milestone was passed back in December of 2013 when I decide to lease a space that is accessible to the public. To that point, I had been working out of my work/live condo space. That was fine for doing the work itself, but less than ideal in dealing with repair customers. I had also been buying clocks at yard sales, online, and at auctions. I have been fixing these clocks up in order to sell them. Needless to say, the foot-traffic through my condo was not all that high, nor did I want it to be. So, the new studio space in The Gates Block building in historic downtown Lowell seemed like a good fit. Here's a photo of the new space:

Recently, a reporter and photographer from The Lowell Sun newspaper paid a visit to my new clock repair shop. They produced the video you see above during the course of our time together. In it, you'll see some of my automata, some of my clocks, and some of my beloved tools.

If you've got any questions or comments, please let me know. It's been difficult for me to stay as on top of this blog as I have in years past, and I'm sorry about that. As my proficiency at clock repair grows and as I get used to running my own business, things will even out again. In the meantime, I can't thank you enough for continuing to visit The Automata / Automaton Blog and for supporting my various enterprises.

-Dug North

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The best projects from MAKE magazine in book form

If you are like me, you have been subscribed to MAKE magazine since day one. If not, you've now got a lot of catching up to do. Don't despair, however! They've assembled various topics into collections of articles that make for outstanding books. Take for example, The Best of Make. This 384 book pulls 75 of the best projects from the first two years of the magazine and gives them to you in one handy volume for only $25! That's one heck of a deal.

Inside this issue you will find chapters on tools, electronics, micro-controllers, toys & games, robots, music, flight & projectiles, photography & video, and cars & engines. Each of these chapters contains between 6 and 9 hands-on projects. Here is where you can order The Best of Make.

Also check out their other dedicated books like Make: Electronics, The Makerspace Workbench, The Essential Guide to 3D Printers, and the Eccentric Cubicle (a personal favorite).

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Learn to make rolling ball kinetic sculptures with artist Tom Harold

Artist Tom Harold noticed that many people in online forums had the same questions about getting started building rolling ball sculptures out of steel.

Seeing that no videos existed to directly address these questions, he put together the starter video shown here. This video is part one of a series that may end up being about three or four videos in length. This one focuses mostly on welding 1/8 inch steel rod. Great stuff!

You cans see more of Tom Harold's kinetic sculpture on his web site.

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Laser-cut Donkey Kong automaton by Martin Raynsford

You may recall the amazing mechanical version of the Donkey Kong arcade game I posted about a while back. Here's a simpler, fun project by the same creator, Marin Raynsford. As you can see from the video, the essence of the classic arcade game Donkey Kong has been represented as a contemporary automaton.

From Martin's web site:

The main drive mechanism is provided by the laser cut bike chain, barrels roll round the girder as if thrown by Donkey Kong. A cam and follower make Mario jump up and down in the appropriate places. I got the gear ratio slightly confused and made my second gear twice as big as need be so I duplicated the jump pattern on both halves of the gear. It was a fun little project and I learnt a lot about what not to do on future projects.

Love the wooden chain and sprockets!

See more detailed in-progress photos of the Donkey Kong automaton on Martin Rynsford's web site.

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Video profile of Will Matthysen, a modern-day clockmaker

Working diligently in his workshop outside of Victoria, Australia, Will Matthysen has a rare profession, that of clockmaker. He's made over 170 clocks in his lifetime. Enjoy this lovely video profile of this talented craftsman.

Here is a longer article about Will Matthysen, titled The Clockmaker.

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The enchanting rustic automata and 'organic mechanic' of artist Blair Somerville

Please check out this charming video about Blair Somerville -- an artist and self-described tinkerer located on New Zealand’s South Island. The film by Joey Bania is titled Lost & Found.

From the video description:

For over ten years Blair has single-handedly owned, operated and ceaselessly expanded the Lost Gypsy Gallery, his wonderland of homegrown wizardry and a playground for kids and adults alike. Using only recycled materials, Blair takes DIY to artistic extremes. His creations are ingenious, interactive, and often hilariously impractical. They take many shapes and forms and share an uncanny ability to amaze, entertain and inspire.

I love the use of stop-motion animation in the film. The effect complements Somerville's playful, imaginative style of creativity.

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Artist Chris Fitch gives an in-depth explanation of the mechanics of his incredible swimming fish kinetic sculpture

Artist Chris Fitch took the time to of put together a video in which he explains the mechanics of his limited edition piece titled, Tantalus Mackerel. I don't need to say much more here, because his explanation is so good.

As for the piece, here is what Chris Fitch as to say about it:

The story of Tantalus has been, since its Greek origins, a consistently applicable metaphor for the human condition. Tantalus angered the gods by trying to feed them the flesh of his own son, passed off as ambrosia. For this, he was chained to the bottom of a lake that reached to his chin. With luscious grapes drooping from vines above his nose, starving Tantalus was unable to enjoy either food or drink, as they were pulled away whenever he reached. I won't go on about how I think this relates to American culture today, which suffers from a kind of self-inflicted hunger from unrealistic expectations. Nor will I attempt to make any connection between the story of Tantalus and our current global problem with mercury levels in deep sea fish, and how we are our own gods and are punished by our own actions when we poison our own food supply. Let me just say, instead, that this piece is about a frustrated fish trying to catch a bug.

It's an incredible piece in every way: the narrative, the artistry, the mechanics. He only made three of these beauties, and (as of this writing) one is still available. For more videos and photos of sculptures by Chris Fitch, visit http://www.chrisfitchsculpture.com.

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YouTube Channel by Nguyen Duc Thang is brimming with awesome mechanical models in action

Nguyen Duc Thang is a mechanical engineer with doctorate located in Hue City, Vietnam.

He has used Autodesk Inventor 2008 to create all a YouTube channel FILLED with animated mechanisms. Shown above is his model for a barrel cam mechanism in which a rotational motion is converted into linear reciprocating one.

He has models for things I've never even glimpsed as a static image, much less a moving model. Check out this Archimedean spiral gear and pin gear (below). How on earth would you accomplish something like this another way? It not only reduces the speed of the rotating axle, but does so nearly in-line with the original input motion -- and all with just two interlocking parts!

He has modeled interesting cams, gears and linkages as well as, complete machines and machine tools. This is a treasure trove for the mechanically minded. Check out Nguyen Duc Thang's YouTube Channel.

[ Thanks Michael! ]

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Richard Garriott shows Martha Stewart automata from his collection

Did you know that legendary video game creator Richard Garriott collects automata? Here's a clip in which he teaches Martha Stewart about various forms of automata using examples from his own collection. Garriott's automata collection, features antiques as well works by almost all of the modern makers. The automata collection, vast as it is, can only be covered in part. We do get to see the works of three artists who surely deserve the limelight.

Here is a video that shows much more of Richard Garriott's automata collection.

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Slide sequence shows the process of making a wood automaton

This great slide sequence shows every step of the process of making three wood automata. The pieces are well crafted which makes the slides very informative.

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Video profile of automaton sculptor Jacques Monestier

Check out this wonderful film which profiles automaton sculptor Jacques Monestier. I'm sorry I can't say more about it; my French just isn't that good. Trust me, you will enjoy the film! His demonstration with the mechanical hand is truly amazing.

[ Thanks Thomas! ]

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