What Are Automata?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an 'Automaton' is defined as a 'piece of mechanism with concealed motive power, organism, esp. person, whose actions are involuntary or without active intellgence...'

Long before the days of television and radio, 16th century clockwork automata were much appreciated as amusing talking points for dinner guests. In essence, they were mechanical moving sculptures, often with an amusing twist. Some of their machines were very elaborate with many complex moving parts. Some had incredibly life-like human heads, often fashioned from papier-mȃché. Frequently including moving eyes and mouths brilliantly arranged in rubber skin. Some played musical instruments while others drew pictures with pen and ink. Some even smoked real cigarettes.

Today’s automata make use of the older mechanisms of cams and gears and combine them with today’s electronics and reliable miniature electric motors to make delightful modern moving sculptures, still frequently with an amusing twist!