a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
The Kaufmann Trumpeter had leather bellows for lungs and reeds which imitated the sound of a brass instrument. The Kaufmann family from Dresden. Friedrich id on the right. Text incorrectly dates the 'Robot' from 1910, it should be 1810. [Source: Popular Mechanics Aug 1950] Trompeter This is an example of a program (e.g. stepped drum) …
Read More “1810 – Automaton Trumpet Player – Friedrich Kaufmann (German)”
1849 – Flute-Playing Automaton by Innocenzo Manzetti. A comparison photo above showing the Flautist's size with a real person. In 1849 Innocenzo Manzetti constructed a flute-playing automaton, in the shape of a man, life-size, seated on a chair. Hidden inside the chair were levers, connecting rods and compressed air tubes, which made the automaton's lips …
Read More “1849 – Flute-Playing Automaton – Innocenzo Manzetti (Italian)”
Danger in the Everglades. Author: Frederick W Keith Publisher: New York, Abelard-Schuman [1957] [Thanks to Michael Rekoff who informed me about this book.] Authors: Frederick W Keith OCLC Number: 1420226 Description: 1 v. illus. 22 cm. Responsibility: Illustrated by Kurt Werth. A diagram of Packy's interior from page 17. Packy's exterior, page 13. Review …
Read More “1957 – “Danger in the Everglades” (Mechanical Elephant) – Frederick Keith”
MEART: THE SEMI-LIVING ARTIST '2001-4' SymbioticA Research Group in collaboration with The Potter Group SymbioticA Research Group were established in 2000 as one of the core research groups in SymbloticA, the Art & Science Collaborative Research Laboratory, School of Anatomy & Human Biology, University of Western Australia. The Potter Group was established in 1999 in …
Read More “2001-4 – MEART Rat Neuron Drawing Machine – SymbioticA (Australian/American)”
Friday, February 10, 2006 Inflatable Body sculptures premiere in Australia ARW will workshop and premiere 16 new Inflatable Body sculptures in Adelaide Australia, March 3 – April 8, 2006, in a series presented by the Experimental Art Foundation. These new Bird sculptures represent a continuation of Amorphic Robot Works' research into materials and improved sculptural …
Read More “2006 – “Birds” – Chico MacMurtrie / Amorphic Robot Works (Mexican/American)”