Automata and Mechanical Toys

I like this book. Its interesting to read and give you ideas for your own little projects.

I bought this book before I retired as a Design and Technology teacher in a secondary school. I found the projects to be excellent for the more able students in a subject which is increasingly turning to CAD/CAM. While I understand that students should be familiar with the processes used in "real life" I think it is essential that they also understand how to use hand tools and basic materials. This is one of several books I bought which I believe further this ideal and highly recommend it, especially for after-school clubs. There is also the fact that kids love things which do something, and this book is filled with that kind of project.

If you are interested in making automata you should but two books. This one and the one from Cabaret Mechanical Movement. You will have al the information you need. This is a large glossy affair, full of interesting history, ideas and a set of projects to build the main types of mechanism you will need. It’s really good!

This seems to be arranged for a course on making modern automata. It has a brief history and sections profiling and reviewing, mostly British, modern automata artists. The photos of their work are very nice, and it is interesting to have quotes from them. The "how-to" section is very explanatory, but not really inspiring. It is arranged so you can build sort of a demonstration cabinet of mechanisms, but it is not very charming. If you can translate the bits and bobs straight away into your own creation, it is a good source, but if you build what you're supposed to, you'll die of boredom before you finish.

I love this book. It makes you want to have a go yourself. Amazing works of art.

Really prompt service and book was exactly as described

Although used the book is in perfect condition and arrived quickly by post. This is a very good introduction to basic automatons.

This was an interesting book but from other reviews I was expecting there to be more details in how to assemble the mechanism to make your own automata. I was also disappointed in the print quality as the few mechanisms at the back of the book weren't the brightest or the clearest. So considering the price, quality and content this had to be returned. Disappointed

Muchs fotos y poco contenido

これからオートマタに興味のある方、製作したい方にお勧めです。 有名な作家の作品から機素と呼ばれる仕掛けの解説など満足の一冊です。

Buon libro con buone foto, si dilunga troppo sui cenni storici e i primi esemplari d'epoca, non molto sul funzionamento, avrei preferito qualcosa in più sulle tecniche di base e più esempi pratici e foto dei dettagli di funzionamento.

Absolutely love this book! Great ideas on how to automate my projects and I love just looking at his work. Not too much detail to smother one's own creativity but enough to stimulate the imagination.

Très beau livre avec beaucoup d’explications et d’illustrations sur les différents automates ( plutôt modernes !) mais aussi des gabarits pour les mécanismes les plus simples. Bel ouvrage aussi ludique que technique !!! ❤️🫶🏽👍