Automata Magazine

02/01/2023

As Automata Magazine enters its fifth year of publication editor Marc Horovitz and his team extend warmest wishes for a happy, peaceful, and creative New Year.

Browse the table of contents for the current issue and subscribe to download the back issues for ALL FOUR YEARS when you subscribe. Or download a free copy of the first issue and see what you’re missing.

http://www.automatamagazine.com

24/12/2022

The work of Welsh artist Fi Henshall is featured on the cover of the upcoming issue of Automata Magazine. During a major restoration project at Kew Gardens she was commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces to create two large automata now housed in the refurbished Great Pagoda. Each diorama features three handles which animate the scenes.

David Bowman returns to our pages to introduce “Professor Finneas J. Fox” his latest creation of copper, brass and bone.

The first of a series of articles by Grahame Waghorn discusses the carving of articulated wooden figures and includes detailed instructions for a sting-puppet guardsman.

Regular columnist Kim Booth once again encourages readers to “Get Moving” with his “Wooden Weather” build. See it in action at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH0Ha5dDb-g

Then subscribe to Automata Magazine and enjoy all four years of back issues while you wait for the release of the January/February issue.

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20/11/2022

With a height of 1.10 meters (43”), “Bob and his Learned Pig” was one of the largest and most complex pieces ever made by the Vichy Company of Paris when it was featured in their catalogue over 100 years ago.

In the current issue of Automata Magazine Kenneth Goldman shares the history of this amazing automaton that was originally purchased as a Christmas Gift in 1904. It remained with the original family until he purchased it in 2010!

Take a few minutes to enjoy their performance and see if you can count all 20 movements.
https://vimeo.com/10918786

Subscribe to learn the story of this rare automaton.
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09/11/2022

While traveling in Egypt on a quest for artifacts lost in ancient times Kent P. Streaver, (a Distinguished Fellow of the National Archeological Society), stumbled across a modern case of tomb tampering.

In a dank basement store room under the Cairo museum he discovered photographic evidence of an extraordinary golden bracelet found on the mummified arm of the boy king Tutankhamen. The bracelet had never appeared in any public documentation! Further investigation confirmed that the precious artifact had been removed from the tomb.

Only days later he was astounded to discover the bracelet itself! The body of the magnificent piece is solid gold and features a hidden clockwork mechanism. Translation of the inlaid hieroglyphic text confirmed that the bracelet functions as an oracle. Tutankhamen himself likely used it to aid in many difficult decisions.

With a little sleuthing of my own I have discovered a video of this stunning golden artifact:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSUBrnUrIzA&t=1s

Follow Kent’s adventure and discover all the exciting details of this exceptional find in the latest issue of Automata Magazine. Subscribe today to download the latest issue and all the previous issues as well.
http://www.automatamagazine.com

02/11/2022

Discover the secret workings of Grahame Waghorn’s “Horse and Carrot”, explore the golden age of automated Japanese tin toys, and marvel at a stunning gold bracelet recently unearthed from the tomb of King Tutankhamen in the new issue of Automata Magazine.

Check out the table of contents and subscribe to enjoy a diverse offering of articles in each new issue.
http://www.automatamagazine.com

30/10/2022

Grahame Waghorn’s "Horse and Carrot” is the cover story for the upcoming issue of Automata Magazine. With a background in animation and not much experience with automata he presents eight descriptive pages of his polished build. At first glance the mechanism appears simple but some key workings are cleverly concealed.

Take a minute to enjoy the lively “Horse and Carrot” in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vWBxXO23s8

Then subscribe to discover all the design secrets or consider a gift subscription for your favorite maker.
http://www.automatamagazine.com

Home Welcome to Automata Magazine, an international online publication for builders, collectors, restorers, and lovers of automata. This publication covers all aspects of these fascinating machines, including collecting them, their history, building them, restoring them, and anything else connected....

20/10/2022

A "bird and sea mechanic” was the phrase that a friend used to describe Eduardo Salzane and he has used that description to inform his work with automata ever since.

As an adolescent he was always taking things apart to understand their works. When he was fourteen he took a machine shop course and worked with a lathe for the next five years. He then explored photography and many aspects of the circus including balance and juggling. In search of a source of extra income in 2016 he was researching movement and discovered the word “automata”.

Eduardo states “A door had opened”. He tried to replicate an automaton he saw on YouTube. It worked! The very next day he made another. He was enchanted by the endless appeal and possibilities of a few simple mechanisms. In time he discovered the work of Carlos Zapata , Keith Newstead, and Paul Spooner. Although Eduardo has been a clown since he was twelve he credits Paul Spooner’s work with inspiringthe playfulness of his own work.

During the past six years he has created more than 260 automata titled simply by chronological numbers. His loving and poetic view of the word is reflected in his work. One of his more complex pieces, Nᵒ 14, reflects the gentle poetry of a grandmother’s sewing. And, like many artists, he is willing to be a whistle blower when necessary. As a Brazilian he spotlights the carelessness of his government during the pandemic with his poignant piece Nᵒ 206.

Enjoy a few minutes (or even a couple of hours) of his work in action by searching Du Salzane on YouTube.

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02/10/2022

In addition to a wide range of feature articles and our regular columns Automata Magazine also aims to share news, events, reviews and a gallery with our readers.

Do you know of an upcoming workshop or an exhibition of automata or kinetic art? Have you read an interesting book about automata or found a kit that you particularly enjoyed? Would you like to share your current build or offer it for sale? Do you have some questions about automata of just some observations to share?

All that is required is a short description, 50-100 words, and perhaps a photo to share the information with an interested audience. Please contact our editor Marc Horovitz if you have questions or information to share: [email protected]

As usual your comments are invited and always welcome.

28/09/2022

A trotting horse that could lift ALL of its legs off the ground… that was the challenge that Barry Falkner faced with his latest automaton. In the current issue of Automata Magazine Barry shares the source of his inspiration and describes the build of “Huntsman and Trotting Horse".

Hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF and aluminium arrow shafts all found their way into this build. An old Allen key cleverly reinforces the supporting tail against rough handling by young grandchildren. Watch Barry’s video to see the diagonally opposed legs moving realistically in unison with that satisfying "trip-trot, trip-trot” sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txc-tyRaImw

Why not subscribe to view the detailed drawings and build one of your own? ALL the back issues are available to subscribers at bio extra charge. Our address is in the bio.

https://automatamagazine.com

21/09/2022

David Bowman has long been a fan of Nikola Tesla. The prolific inventor developed the alternating current power generation and distribution system that we use today, developed remote control, invented radio and of course the Tesla coil. In the latest issue of Automata Magazine David returns to our pages with his recreation of Tesla’s famous Colorado Springs experiment of wireless energy transmission. As the coil discharged violently above him Tesla famously sat calmly reading his book.

David employs of some of his favourite materials, copper, brass, and vintage Meccano parts to create the laid-back figure of a moustachioed Baron von Steubon. Enjoy his gentle movements as he sits peacefully reading his book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iSZmM97o0

Then subscribe to read all the whole story of this precise and detailed build.
https://www.automatamagazine.com

11/09/2022

For the past couple of years XiangMu has been on a quest to do much more with his automata than bring a happy smile to the viewer’s face. He wants to empower people to think! In the latest issue of Automata Magazine he returns this theme with a further thought that “Sadness is the power of awakening.”

His second iteration of “Cover Up” employs dark cherry wood for the base and frame and contrasting white maple for the figure and mechanism. The stereotypical boxy frame of his previous piece (see the May/June 2021 issue) has been redesigned and the improved mechanism can now be connected to a motor. And XiangMu continues ponder life and his art. The solitary figure lowers a smiling mask from his face and we discover…..well... you really need to see for yourself!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxSq3E-631A

Subscribe to read the whole article and ALL the back issues please go to our website.

https://www.automatamagazine.com

01/09/2022

Artist An Shaohua discovered automata in 2019 and was immediately smitten. After 2 years of research he decided to create the beautiful winged horse that graces the cover of the September/October issue of Automata magazine. Regular Barry Falkner shares a very different horse and rider, David Bowman’s “Baron von Steubon” recreates "Nikola Tesla at Colorado Springs”, and we welcome Brad Litwin to the the Automata Magazine family with his new column “The Crankist. Check out the table of contents for the full line-up of informative articles. The new issue is now available to subscribers for download. Check out our website for a sample of the current content and subscribe to download all the back issues.

https://automatamagazine.com/the-magazine/

01/09/2022

Canadian Chris Hughes returns to Automata Magazine to share the design and construction of “The Swordsman”. He carved grooved drum mechanisms from basswood to control the independent swing of the Swordsman’s arms and relied on brass balls for low-friction followers. A wooden gear situated between the drums drives the mechanism controlling the back and forth motion for the feet. Follow the details of his build with all it’s challenges and some pleasant surprises too in the current issue of Automata Magazine. Watch “The Swordsman” in action and have a close-ip view of the mechanism at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZt5Wa5Z0Os

Download all the back issues for free when you subscribe!

https://www.automatamagazine.com

25/08/2022

Automata Magazine has a great lineup of articles in the upcoming issue. An Shaohua’s incredible "galloping flying horse" is featured on the cover. In the News column Timberkits introduces a delightful new range of Shaun the Sheep models specifically designed for children. Teun de Wijs reviews the “Gear Bots” from Klutz children’s books. Another cheerful and kid-friendly project “ Animals in Orbit” is presented by Kim Booth. And there is plenty more for the grown ups too! The new issue will be available in just one week. Check out a preview of articles in the new issue and consider subscribing while you're there.

https://automatamagazine.com/next-issue-preview/

23/08/2022

Hector the interstellar robot returns to latest issue Automata Magazine to investigate a disturbance in sector 52. Our readers will remember Lee Whitehead’s initial exploration into 3D printing from the April/May 2021 issue. This time Lee decided to use some Arduino microcontrollers and a couple servo motors to animate Hector’s new speed cruiser.

Once again Lee used 3D Builder to model the ship and printed it with his new Flashforge Guider II. The model included openings to include 6 LED lights. Not content with just the addition of lights Lee decided to add sound to his latest creation. With his Magix Music Maker software and some commercial sound samples he was able to layer guitar, bass, drums, and other sounds to achieve an appropriate music track. Click on the link to see Hector in his new ship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISzzJYx70Qs

Subscribe to Automata Magazine to learn all the details of Lee’s newest creation and discover his secrets for an aged and grungy paint finish.

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17/08/2022

"Terry the Twirler” was the result of a successful experiment in working in a smaller scale. Kim Booth began with the idea of a dog chasing his tail but once the prototype was underway deemed the idea “a bit boring”. In the latest issue of Automata Magazine Kim describes how his pencil sketches of a Victorian dancer evolved into a twirling rabbit-eared clown with a precariously balanced ball.

Once Kim had sketched his basic concept he completed a wire and plasticine maquette before carving and painting the carved the diminutive figure. Kim’s Twirler is a perfect beginning project. Follow the whole build of this tiny automata with it’s one inch turntable when you subscribe to Automata Magazine. Watch the happy “Terry the Twirler” in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQoWH47zrHs

Not ready for the commitment of a subscription? Click on this link to download a FREE PDF of the first issue, get a peek at the current issue, preview the upcoming issue, and download the yearly index of articles. There is a link to subscribe on the same page once you see what you have been missing!

https://automatamagazine.com/the-magazine

09/08/2022

Sarah Reast is often asked how to build mechanisms to achieve specific movements. In the latest issue of Automata Magazine she begins the first of a new series of articles and outlines a variety of options for clapping mechanism.

According to Sarah no one has done it better than Peter Markey! The grinning face and simple abstract form are irresistible, but the deceptively simple mechanism relies on the laws of levers and can present some challenges with even small inaccuracies. Another abstract option uses a simple but very effective scissor action.

The Timberkits “Happy Clapper” uses a waggle stick but presents more of a challenge since the mechanism is forced into a confined space. The original concept was engineered by Alexander Matyukhin and featured a cymbal player. Sarah shares the secret of assembling “Happy Hands” and describes how Timberkits “Unicyclist” mechanism could be adapted to a clapping mechanism as well.

Fans of Sarah Reast can now purchase her book, “Automata for Beginners”, a compilation of her popular columns.
www.automatamagazine.com/books

Learn all the details in the latest issue of Automata Magazine. Subscribe to download ALL the past issues at no extra charge.
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02/08/2022

Stepping out of his comfort zone Teun de Wijs agreed to present a “building” class to eager eight- and nine-year-olds. In the current issue of Automata Magazine describes the daunting but fun-filled experience of introducing 20 young students to the world of automata.

Beginning with a few videos of famous vintage automata he found that the children were quick to grasp the concept of automata. "The Writer" by Jaquet-Droz sparked a lively discussion on the difference between an automata and a robot, and he was gratified to see the delighted reaction to the works of Paul Spooner, Keith Newstead, and some of his other personal heroes.

When he introduced LEGO automata the class became thoroughly engaged. They were familiar with LEGO but when presented with several of Teun’s own models they were enchanted with the cranks and mechanisms. Working in pairs, with identical sets of LEGO that Tuen had selected, the spirited class managed to complete three simple automata.

Subscribe to read the whole article and discover who worked most efficiently, the boys or the girls. You may be as surprised as Tuen!
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