Clock that physically writes the time created by a Japanese art student

This amazing creation was all over the internet a few weeks ago. I neglected to post about it. I feel that I should do so in case you missed it and because it is possibly the most incredible mechanical device that I have seen anyone make in recent history.

The project, called Plock, was created by art student Suzuki Kango as his senior thesis project. It contains more than 400 wooden parts that control four arms which write out the time on a magnetic drawing pad every minute. The board pushes forward when the time is written, then drops back again. This is a clever way to control the Z-axis. The arms need only be capable of moving in the X and Y axes.

The four large weights suggest that it is weight-driven. There appears to be a balance wheel in the bottom portion, so perhaps that is how it actually tells time. It doesn't seem to be moving at all times however, so this is not clear to me.

The whole thing is made of wood, too! Just astonishing.

There are more images of the writing clock on this web site (text in Japanese).

[ Thanks to Charles and all who suggested I post about this! ]

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Scriblo - a hand-cranked handwriting automaton kit

Check out the latest creation for Shasa Bolton: a handwriting automaton called "Sciblo". Scriblo is designed to sketch simple words and pictures when you turn the handle.

Scriblo is sold as a flat-pack kit. The pieces slot together without glue. The piece can be mounted on a wall or sit on a table. The kit comes with the cams to spell "yes".

Here is where you can learn more about Scriblo, the handwriting automaton.

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Messengers - life-size mechanical figures tap out messages to spectators on a telegraph

You've got to check out this video of this kinetic sculpture by artist Pat Keck. Titled Messengers, it depicts four nearly life-sized figures seated behind a desk, each with a telegraph key. The spectator inserts a coin in the slot at the front of the machine. One of the figures taps out a message and a ticker tape emerges from the machine for the viewer to take and read. The figures take turns tapping out messages and passing slow, meaningful sidelong glances among themselves. They would appear know something that we do not.

The video takes about 10 minutes; it is worth setting aside some time for it. It's like an entire scene in some quirky surreal movie. The motion of the figures is so smooth and life-like, yet slow in an eerie way. I especially love it when a figure raise a hand off the telegraph key and rest it back on the table. It has a deliberate quality to it that reminds me of a magician in slow-motion.

Around the 7 minute mark we get to see some behind-the-scenes shots of the piece in-progress. The construction looks impeccable. We also get to see some of the motions in isolation, with is both fascinating and instructive. It's an incredible piece by a fantastic kinetic sculptor.

See more work by Pat Keck on the artist's web site.

[ Thanks Margaret! ]

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Profile of the Jaquet-Droz: master watch, clock, and automata makers

If you missed this video the other day over at the excellent Spiel und Kunst mit Mechanik blog, it is a must see. The film documents some of the achievements of the famous Jaquet-Droz family of watchmakers.

The list of accomplishments outlined in this 13 minute film is astounding. Among other things, the Jaquet-Droz are credited with:

• The first sing bird autoamta
• The first singing bird watch
• The self-winding watch
• The Writer automaton
• The Draftsman automaton
• The Musician automaton
• The pump winding system for watches

This is only a partial list to which we must add numerous advances in watchmaking technology, and supreme artistry in the aesthetic elements of watches and clocks. Finally, though the film does not mention it, Henri Maillardet, creator of the drawing automaton that was the inspiration for the one in the film Hugo, spent time as a young man working in Pierre Jaquet-Droz's workshop. Maillardet doubtless learned much of what he needed to know to build his own drawing automaton from the Jaquet-Droz.

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Full size Japanese automaton writes with an inked brush

Magician Brad Henderson from Austin Texas uncovered this video of a large writing automaton from Japan. I don't know much (or anything) about this karakuri figure. The size and sophistication are extremely impressive!

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Short film featuring exquisite antique automata

Here is a film that was originally created as a school program back in the 1980s. The 8 minutes of film show the variety and complexity found in antique automata. Examples include magicians, acrobats, clowns, musicians, and the three masterpieces by Pierre Jaquet-Droz -- the Musician, the Writer, and the Draftsman. Enjoy!

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Students seek info on writing/drawing automata

Reader David Meyers is working with a group of middleschoolers in a design class. The students have become fascinated by the writing/drawing automata like the tin clown artist, Arthur Ganson's Faster! and Maillardet's Automaton. The video shown here features a prototype machine by Yoav Kleiner, which draws a nude figure. Given what I happen to know of the upcoming movie, Hugo, I would say these students are several months ahead of the what is about to become a very popular topic!

David and his students are looking for any instructions, guides, templates to aid in creating their own. If you know of any books, web sites, people, or kits please let me know via the contact form, or leave a comment at the end of this post.

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Alexander Pushkin automaton by François Junod

Check out this video of a breathtakingly complex and beautiful automaton by François Junod. Junod and his team specialize in the manufacture and restoration of automata as well as custom made pieces such as the one shown here depicting Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Considered a master in the art and craft of automata making, Junod is one of only a very few people making automata of this sophistication in the tradition of Pierre Jaquet-Droz and Henri Maillardet.

Learn more about the automata of François Junod on his web site.

[ My thanks to automaton artist Thomas Kuntz! ]

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DVD about the three The Jaquet-Droz automata

Including perhaps the famous writing automaton created by Maillardet, there are no finer examples in art of automata than the masterpieces created by the Swiss-born watchmaker Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721–1790). Around 1770-1772, Jaquet-Droz created three incredibly sophisticated automata know as The Writer, The Draftsman, and The Musician.

The video clip shown here is from an excellent DVD entitled The Jaquet-Droz Androids. The film covers all three Jaquet-Droz automata.

Learn more about this documentary and order a DVD at www.automates-boites-musique.com.

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