Pierre Jaquet-Droz in the 1770s. Mechanical Boy.

[kingcreaky]

Hi all

I dont know many people who can truly appreciate how simply amazed I was by stumbling across this documentary last night. So in a bid to share this with somebody atleast, I though of you lot who Im sure will be equally amazed if you havent already seen it

Built by a clock maker 249 years ago....  – but it’s not a clock – it’s a clever piece of engineering, the beginning of computers.

its this type of thing, that really puts in to perspective truly great engineers.. dont you think?

anyway, ive found a link to the video

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/the-writer-automaton

and for those at work etc, theres this.. but im sure you can find others

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...iting.html

[EdK]

I've seen that. It is fascinating.

Ed

[RobWilson]

Hi Creaky , here is the full documentary 





Seeing the clockwork boy is on my to do list when I am in that part of the world . The sawn I have seen as its just down the road from me at Bowes Museum . 


Have you seen the Harrison chronometers ? well worth a look if your ever at The Royal Observatory ,Greenwich. 







The book "Longitude" by Dava Sobel is an interesting read on the subject   .



Regards Rob 


PS good to see I am not the only one who likes ye oldey stuff