Automatons or mechanical dolls have been around since the 16th century, with the oldest functional automaton being kept at the Smithsonian. If other accounts are to be believed, much older automatons have existed as far back as the ancient Greeks. But there are only a few surviving operational automatons today, and those include Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s three automatons.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
Constructed around the late 1760s and early 1770s, these automatons are considered by some to be one of the earliest computers with their capability to be programmed. Jaquet-Droz’s automatons are intricate works of engineering containing 6,000 movable parts that enable the dolls to blink their eyes, hold a pen, and write or draw on paper.
Jaquet-Droz’s automatons include “The Writer”, “The Draughtsman”, and “The Musician” named after their respective functions. Both “The Writer” and “The Draughtsman” are built on similar parts, with “The Writer” having more versatility as its program allows it to write any 40 letters in any combination, making it customizable.
“The Draughtsman”, on the other hand, can only draw four different images, which makes more sense as drawing requires more technical skill than writing. However, the level at which “The Draughtsman” draws is beyond making basic shapes or lines. Out of the four drawings, perhaps the portrait of Louis XV may be the most complex one it can do.
Finally, “The Musician” can make real music by tapping the keys of a custom-built organ with two sticks. All three of the automatons are currently being held at the Muse d’Art et d’Histoire at Neuchtel in Switzerland.
(Image credit: Link2Universe)
Source: neatorama