Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes, 1615

Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes was a book writtin by the  French engineer Salomon de Caus (1576 - 1626).  Salomon de Caus was known for being a  garden-architect and hydraulic engineer. Many of his grotto designs incorporated mechanical fountains, mechanical music, and automata. His interest in these mechanical devices may have been influenced by the recovery of ancient texts by Hero of Alexandria around this time.

 One of his books detailing may automata is now available in digital form online courtesy of  Le Conservatoire numérique des Arts & Métiers (CNUM).  His treatise from 1615 entitled Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes, avec diverses machines tant utiles que puissantes, auxquelles sont adjoints plusieurs dessings de grotes & fontaines.

Even if you don't speak 400-year-old French, there are dozens of excellent illustrations that are a testiment to the ingenius mind of Salomon de Caus.

Here is a link to the table of contents of Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes.  Here is a link to the table of illustrations within Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes.

Thanks Falk!

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Martin Smith's Applause Machine Automaton Video

When the you push the button, The Applause Machine claps it's hands for you.

The Applause Machine is a motorized automaton designed by Martin Smith that will be widely available in September of 2008.

The piece is constructed of coated steel, brass, Walnut, plastic and a small motor. It measures about 45cm in height and is powered by 2 AAA batteries. It will be available in a number of very nice colors.

Learn more about The Applause Machine designed by Martin Smith and manufactured by Laikingland at http://www.laikingland.co.uk.

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Magnets and Magnetic Toys in One Place

Earlier this week I announced that a Solar-Powered Toys section was added to The Automata / Automaton Store. While working on the new section, I realized I had overlooked more than one important category of mechanical toy.

So, without further ado, I would like to inform you that there is now another new section devoted entirely to Magnets and Magnetic Toys. It turned out to be a surprisingly big section! Shown here is a levitating top made with cherry wood. Magnets, rotational motion, wood, levitation...OK, this meets and surpasses my criteria for cool.

As with the Solar Toys section, the new Magnetic Toys section can be found under the main heading of Mechanical Toys in the left side navigation list of the store.

Visit the The Automata / Automaton Store to check out the huge selection of magnet-based toys.

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