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Since the beginning of time, humans have looked for forms of entertainment or diversion from the work they had to do. Simple dolls or models used as toys are age old inventions, and have
provided much amusement to the children who have played with them. This fact cannot be truer in the field of mechanical toys, which have dated back to the classical times.
Mechanical toys have an added feature of inanimate toys
because they perform simple motions or, in some way, move.
Mechanical toys are still a source of entertainment for children today. How do these toys work? There are various methods -- air pressure, heat, clockwork movements, weights, pulleys, complex gear and
shaft systems.
In the past, mechanical toys were made on elaborate, grand scales to create marvelous illusions. Perhaps the most famous mechanical toy is the piece de resistance, a solid silver swan that appears to catch and swallow a fish, and swims on a surface over which rotating
crystal rods create and illusion of watery motion. Another spectacular arrangement of mechanical toys was done by James Cox, a jeweler from London. His arrangement consisted of fifty-six animals and birds on clocks, which was the greatest collection of automata ever put on show for the public. The popularity of automata, especially in America, dwindled to almost nothing during the depression era. They were a luxury few could afford. Automata remained alive however, in a few scattered places such as England, France and China. In auctions, examples of automata made during this time (and earlier) bring extraordinary prices and are highly valued. After the depression ended, automata returned to America mainly in the form of small wind up toys which were produced in Japan and China. To this day, automata is a relatively rare art form within the U.S.
Today the most popular of mechanical toys is the wind-up toy. These toys are quick to "wind up", and once wound, they perform various feats such as walking, jumping, rolling, etcetera.
But Church Mouse® Automata and others like us are dedicated to bringing back the charm and fascination of the original art form of Automata. Hand crafted, made of solid wood with attention to detail. They are truly fascinating to behold.
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No other craft captures the magic of turning a handle, flicking a switch or pulling a lever to see the unexpected come to life. You can almost see the gears turning inside an automata designer's head.
What is Automata? It has grown to be a generic term for a variety of mechanical toys made from wood, metal or even paper (or cardboard). Current day automata designers and makers consider
themselves to be artists - and that they are. They are able to take an idea, a phrase, a topic of current
discussion, or a funny thought… and bring it to life in a substantial and inventive way. They are able to produce a "machine" that churns away worries and stress.
Some automata are nothing more than one cam turning one object, while others utilize an
astounding array of cams, cranks, gears, ratchets, pulleys, linkages, bearings, shafts, drives levers and springs. Basically, automata is a mechanical picture. But a picture in much more than three dimensions. It has the ability to amuse, entertain, invoke wonder and best of all - let you become a part of the
process.
You are encouraged to take the time to learn more about this fascinating art form. Browse our pages and follow the links to other automata sites. There is a whole new and wonderful world of
mechanical wooden wonders that awaits you.
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