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- "The Busy World" Automaton, 1830-1850 - "Automaton" generally refers to a non-electric moving machine that performs a predetermined set of operations. This automaton wagon, "The Busy World," features 365 carved wooden figures (some with racially stereotyped features) moving in six different scenes. Settings include a military parade, a factory, a dance hall, and various Bible stories. The wagon's lively, hand-cranked animations entertained children and adults alike at fairs and special exhibits.
- 1830-1850
- Collections - Artifact
"The Busy World" Automaton, 1830-1850
"Automaton" generally refers to a non-electric moving machine that performs a predetermined set of operations. This automaton wagon, "The Busy World," features 365 carved wooden figures (some with racially stereotyped features) moving in six different scenes. Settings include a military parade, a factory, a dance hall, and various Bible stories. The wagon's lively, hand-cranked animations entertained children and adults alike at fairs and special exhibits.
- "The Androides" Automaton Admission Tickets, 1890-1905 -
- 1890-1905
- Collections - Artifact
"The Androides" Automaton Admission Tickets, 1890-1905
- Mechanical Singing Bird, 1890-1910 - Automated, mechanical devices like this provided cheerful bird-like songs in the parlors of many well-to-do American homes around the turn of the 20th century. Unlike live pet birds, this caged, feather-covered papier mache bird sings when its key-wound clockwork mechanism is activated. Turning gears operate small bellows and a slide whistle or flute to mimic a bird's warble.
- 1890-1910
- Collections - Artifact
Mechanical Singing Bird, 1890-1910
Automated, mechanical devices like this provided cheerful bird-like songs in the parlors of many well-to-do American homes around the turn of the 20th century. Unlike live pet birds, this caged, feather-covered papier mache bird sings when its key-wound clockwork mechanism is activated. Turning gears operate small bellows and a slide whistle or flute to mimic a bird's warble.