Automata are among the few man-made artifacts capable of combining artistic talent, inventiveness and programmable, predictable and controllable movements in a single object.

"Automi" is one of the few comprehensive book on this topic. It traces the history of automata as well as their makers, from the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt to the present day, by means of a detailed description of multiple automata designs.

Over time, automata have served a variety of functions, among which: entertainment, research and development - so to speak - in the natural sciences, synchronized timekeeping, mechanical and pneumatic experiments, personification of the gods, music production, drink mixing, astronomical predictions and mobilization of theatrical scenes, actors and at times of the theaters themselves. Automata have also been used to imitate the sounds of animals, to give life to the symbols of secular and religious power, to frighten and intimidate an audience, to console an saddened king or to give him flowers, to brighten up a garden or princely table, to serve tea, to offer as a precious gift to a sultan, to evaluate orthopedic instruments and prostheses, to demonstrate the ideas of ​​science, to experiment with programming and control of machines, to build mechanical jewelry, to make art, to teach literature and mechanics and, last but not least, to satirize, fantasize and play.

This volume contains new graphic renditions and translations of works of and studies on Heron of Alexandria, Philo of Byzantium, Archimedes, al-Muradi and al-Jazari. The book also highlights the earliest example of a mechanism which affords the ability to both execute and freely program the timing of a 0/1 sequence; a technological advancement first witnessed in Heron's theaters.

An entire section of the book is dedicated to the Modern Automata Museum and its construction courses for children and adults.

328 pages

418 color photographs 

135 illustrated diagrams

€ 23.00