A Man of Many Faces: a Prototype Wooden Head from Basic Shapes Creating interesting characters is an important part of making a wood automaton because they are often the actors on the mechanically-driven stage. In this article, we will make a generic male head that does not require woodcarving skills or special tools. This head […]
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Dug’s Automata Tips, Techniques and Tricks – Tools and References
This is a list of related books, materials and tools which may be helpful when reading articles from our blog series Dug’s Automata Tips, Techniques and Tricks. Tips & Tricks No. 8 – Joints for Automata Figures Further Reading The Human Machine (Dover Anatomy for Artists) Amazon UK – Amazon US Making and Manipulating Marionettes […]
A Literary Feast by Fi Henshall
The latest automata edition from Fi Henshall features a beautiful but hungry bird, intent on devouring the book ‘Beasts’ by R C Bird. Great style and movement. This piece will be produced in an edition, and details may vary slightly. (Bespoke book title requests will be considered). W 10cm D 10cm H 13cm Sold.
Sketchbook Moment No. 53
Are we in Arizona? Nope, Texas Pop. 181 Click image to enlarge.
The Turk – A Machine that Draws Forever by Paul Spooner
Paul Spooner’s latest piece in his series of machines which draw forever is a homage to the famous Chess Playing Turk automaton. The New Turk is built on the standard chassis design of P. Spooner Stithians’s popular “Clever Hans” model but with a host of add-on goodies. The Turk, in this version, has tired of […]
The Mechanicals
Our new exhibition , The Mechanicals, produced in collaboration with Science Projects is enjoying a successful first outing at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock. Visitor feedback has been very enthusiastic: ‘Outstanding – for the imagination of adults as well as children’ ‘Absolutely awesome. Brilliant for 3 & 40 year old. Shame it’s not permanent’ ‘Superb […]
Clever Hans the Intelligent Horse
Paul Spooner’s latest work features a complicated mechanism which draws the infinity symbol. The story of Clever Hans is pretty well known. There’s a good account on Wikipedia with valuable links to other smart animal stories such as Nazi Talking Dogs and Lady Wonder, a mare with purported psychic powers which enabled her to foretell […]
The King and Queen of Hearts
A great collectors item from Fourteen Balls Toy Company. A pair of tiny hand carved crowned royals, which vibrate lovingly on their spring mechanisms. Both pieces are number 1 of the edition from January 2001. Height of each piece 10 cm Sold as a pair only. £250 (excl. VAT) Sold.
New Book – Paper Models That Move
A new edition of Walter Ruffler’s book. The book contains 24 pages of theory and 14 construction kits. 8 of the construction kits are for individual mechanical principles, and 6 of the kits are to make paper automata. Great value, and a wonderful set for teaching aids. Not in stock but please check our books […]
A Carrion Crow with his eye on someone’s finger
A new piece from Paul Spooner (2011) This beady eyed crow blinks as the turning handle alerts him to the presence of your hand, which he then follows as it turns… brilliant device. The accompanying noise makes it all the more menacing. An edition of 4 only. Original Paul Spooner, signed, dated and numbered Dimensions: […]