Automaton

[waltesefalcon]

This is the most advanced automaton I've ever heard tell of.

 

[Gliderman8]

I actually saw this doll eons ago in Switzerland when I was a kid.

 

[Bayless]

WOW! I don't know what else to say.

 

[JPSmit]

amazing! I was actually about to nip off and check to make sure my kids weren't automatons, and then I realized they couldn't be - they don't use cursive!

 

[DrEntropy]

And a scant three centuries later, Swiss clock makers come up with this: Tri-axis Tourbillon .

 

[YakkoWarner]

Machines like this were central to the plotline for the movie HUGO a few years ago - I didn't quite know what to expect but it was a good film.

 

[waltesefalcon]

And a scant three centuries later, Swiss clock makers come up with this: Tri-axis Tourbillon .

It's an impressive invention from an engineering point of view. From a practical mechanical point of view it's just overly complicated.

Have you ever taken a look at George Daniels' co-axial escapement? It's a complicated bit of engineering wrapped in a sublimely simple presentation.

 

[Gliderman8]

I first saw it in a museum in the late 60’s. To this very day I’m amazed at how it performed without electronics, programming or power. Some things you don’t forget and this is one of them.

 

[DrEntropy]

It's an impressive invention from an engineering point of view. From a practical mechanical point of view it's just overly complicated.

Have you ever taken a look at George Daniels' co-axial escapement? It's a complicated bit of engineering wrapped in a sublimely simple presentation.

Same could be said of the writing automaton, IYSWIM. In some things over-complication is its own reward.

Not seen the George Daniels escapement (yet). But thanks for the heads-up!

 

[waltesefalcon]

The advantage here is that the coaxial escapement separates the locking and impulse mechanisms reducing overall friction and making the movement of the escape smoother.

 

[JPSmit]

a couple of thoughts.

1. to the Co-Axial escapement - my daughter works for IBM doing user interface/ user experience design - her particular area is accessibility (including her colour blind brother). She found and bought this watch which is the first thing I thought of when I saw the escapement

(and, yes, a Millenial who wears a watch)

2. Coming to the Tri-axis watchamacllit - On another forum I frequent there is a fellow who is a remarkable engineer. Much of his work is custom to aid in the restoration of WWII tanks - particularly German. He maintains over and over that they were too complicated for the battlefield.

 

[Hamish Racing]

The advantage here is that the coaxial escapement separates the locking and impulse mechanisms reducing overall friction and making the movement of the escape smoother.

i was fortunate enough to have known George Daniels he was seriously into his vintage cars and my dad used to race with him.
GD lived on the Isle Of Man and the Vintage club had annual race and sprint meetings there and GD was always very welcoming.
he sold his car collection that went into an education trust to help those that needed a better start in life.

Bonhams : The outstanding George Daniels motor car collection to be sold at Goodwood

Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars

www.bonhams.com

Watchmaker's Birkin Bentley sold for £5m at auction

A vintage car from a collection which belonged to Isle of Man watchmaker Dr George Daniels fetches more than £5m at auction.

www.bbc.co.uk

George Daniels' watch and classic car collections

Until his death in 2011, George Daniels was one of the most famous and celebrated horologists in the world. Famed for his innovations, most notably the groundbreaking co-axial escapement, he is currently the only horologist to have received both an MBE and a CBE. Daniels, born in 1926, died in...

www.paulfrasercollectibles.com

his coaxial escarpment was initially created into 50 millennium wrist watched 7 in white gold and 43 in yellow gold a yellow gold watch sold last year

Daniels ‘Millennium’ Watch Breaks Records : British Horological Institute

Established in 1858 to promote horology, the British Horological Institute's prime purpose today is to provide education.

bhi.co.uk

it is now the standard movement in Omega watches

great man, and a very nice man

 

[DrEntropy]

Have you ever taken a look at George Daniels' co-axial escapement? It's a complicated bit of engineering wrapped in a sublimely simple presentation.

So immediately on reading this I went down a rabbit hole, viewed videos for hours. Remarkably elegant and simple escapement. Enjoyed GD's history, along with his enthusiasm for automobiles. Remarkable individual.

Watched more this morning. Roger Smith's lectures included.

Thanks, Walt!

it is now the standard movement in Omega watches

Now I feel my "old" Seamaster linear escapement watch is passez outre...

 

[waltesefalcon]

Hamish, I think it's terrific that you had a personal connection to Daniels. The man was a genius.

Doc, as you know, I'm a bit fascinated with mechanical things beyond just engines. I could spend all day in mechanical rabbit holes.