Showing posts with label Henri Maillardet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Henri Maillardet. Show all posts

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Mechanical Wonderland



Possible design and creation by Henri Maillardet, in 1820. Similar to a live caterpillar, this jewel studded pre-electronic metal creature can crawl from one point to another on a flat surface. Take a look at the video:





The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.

`Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, 

`I--I hardly know, sir, just at present... at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'

Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll