Re: Maillardet's Automaton (the "Draughtsman-Writer")

[Tony Chung <tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca>]

That's cool, Steven. Incidentally, an automaton figured prominently in *The
Invention of Hugo Cabret*. Georges Méliès apparently dabbled in building
them, along with his career as a magician and movie pioneer.

-T


On Fri, May 24, 2013 at 1:44 PM, Janoff, Steven <Steven -dot- Janoff -at- ga -dot- com>wrote:

> Fellow Whirligigs,
>
> I came across this oddity while researching something today, and thought
> my fellow Tech Writers would find this interesting:
>
> http://www.fi.edu/learn/sci-tech/automaton/automaton.php
>
> Invented in London around 1800.
>
> "During the 18th century, people were in a state of wonder over mechanism.
> The first complex machines produced by man were called 'automata.' The
> greatest and most fascinating mechanisms were those that could do things in
> imitation of living creatures. This Automaton, known as the
> 'Draughtsman-Writer,' is one such machine."
>
> The videos are fascinating.
>
> The drawing of the ship is pretty cool.  (Last link below shows this in
> greater detail.)
>
> For my colleagues in the U.S., Happy Memorial Day weekend!
>
> Steve
>
> More:
>
> http://www.fi.edu/qa99/attic10/sketch1.jpg
>
> http://www.fi.edu/pieces/knox/automaton/home.htm
>
> http://www.fi.edu/pieces/knox/automaton/images/sketch.GIF
>
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