The Silver Swan Automaton

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

I have seen a few short videos about the silver swan automaton in the Bowes Museum. The films are all very general, with short shots of the gubbins inside, but none is long enough to see anything in detail. What fascinates me most is the sinuous movement of the swan’s neck. Does anyone know how the neck is articulated and what sort of mechanism moves the neck?

James

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

This unfortunately tells us very little, but might point you in the right direction, James:

https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/bring-back-the-magic-of-the-silver-swan/

MichaelG.

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

Thank you, Michael.

[speelwerkParticipant @speelwerk]

This old article may help. Niko.

https://www.mbsgb.org.uk/TMB/V2_B6.pdf#page=43

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

Thank you, Niko.

I did see somewhere that the machine was refurbished in the mid-60s, so maybe this was from around then. I shall have a good read.

 

James.

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