Automaton figure of a monk, South Germany or Spain, c. 1560

Video made by John Hiller for the Smithsonian Institution, running time 5 minutes, no audio. Automaton figure of a monk, South Germany or Spain, c. 1560; National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v1n1/nonfiction/king_e/prayer_introduction.htm

for more info.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• automaton
• homunculus
• monk
• clockwork

[love233]

Why with no audio? Where his the noise of the wheels and mechanisms?

[tungmobi]

The film is from 1978 and, for whatever reason, doesn't contain audio that I'm aware of. When I was last at the Smithsonian, this video played continuously at the exhibit.

[ioquot]

Radiolab brought me here!

[kengle1]

Hm. Looks suspiciously like a Dalek to me.

[grangerweasley]

@ioquot Me too!



[electronic4evr]

Wow. Amazing what technology they had, even back then.

[clockguy2]

I'd imagine they were sweating bullets winding the spring. 

[UndeadAngel993]

@sheadatear

I felt the same...

...until it opened its mouth ._.

[karlinamillion]

the full story is on Radio Lab, look for 'A Clockwork Miracle'

[iceneveria]

Cracked!

[WiseGuy02]

Robomonk?

[BountyIX]

Ha ha.

[rambadibow]

Closeup to the face NOT appreciated

[HelpMyNamesTaken]

Looks like Moby.