Automata- more sources in the 18th Century

Started looking further into Pierre Jacquet-Droz and came across more precedent for Automata in the 18th century. Friedrich von Knauss was another who created a animated 'writer', and earlier than Jacquet-Droz. Although a cruder version, Knauss went on to produce three other 'writers'.



Upon looking through this time during the 1700's, more and more examples of these Automata seem to appear. During this time there appears to be a fascination with mechanics, rightfully so since current philosophical thinking looked at the worked in a mechanical view, understanding humans and animals like they were machines. Combined with growing industrial technology there became a demand for these devices. Other examples were devices like a duck that digest and deficates and the transverse flute player, a study in human breathing.



A common thread from these works is the craftsman/ inventor understanding and experience in watchmaking. Clock mechanics is abundant in these works.

During this time, these Automata were used as entertainment pieces, some on traveling shows which amazed their audiences but also satisfied this need to better understand the world around us. In fact some of these devices were produced to better understand scientifically animals and humans. But there seems to be something else in mind, the uncanny nature of these devices. We know they are not real but they seems to mimic natural movement or sound. Its as if these devices are soulless, lacking any core entity and merely a slave to their master.