CBS Sunday Morning - Lost art of Automatons alive again

From the bestselling children's novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" to the Oscar nominated film "Hugo," automatons - mechanical marvels from a time gone by - are in the spotlight. Seth Doane takes a look at the extraordinary world of automatons.

[@Hades-tw4ql]

its all fun and games until its midnight and this thing starts drawing by itself.

[@OnlyRetardsHateMe]

Ey boy you just gave me an idea for my next horror game.

[@Nga-1984]

I laugh at your comment, my 13 yrs old son thought I was crazy, showed him the video, he laugh and walk away. 😆

[@sesequatch2598]

Sounds like The Conjuring or Insidious. lool

[@solomale2156]

No

[@mlgproplayer2915]

*starts walking by itself

[@CouncilOfTheLostGoats]

No matter how advanced human civilization is, this will always be impressive.

[@bahaar2825]

Absolutely

[@samuraijackoff5354]

Time is relative after all

[@elly3359]

The fact that it was created by humans at the time when civilization is relatively not that advanced, makes it even more impressive.

[@pibly674]

TRUE !

[@abyssumabyssus1976]

You have no idea how far technolog will go just in a few decades.. .

[@NemeanLion-]

Imagine building a device that mystifies people hundreds of years later.

[@theexplodingmothfromhell8012]

@¿0.O? I'm sure it's very nice.

[@homers5699]

And that cant be rebuilt eaven today

[@jamesbolivardigriz8252]

or even thousands en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

[@NemeanLion-]

@@jamesbolivardigriz8252 Good point.

[@NemeanLion-]

@@homers5699 👍

[@Reino30]

Thats some cool SteamPunk stuff u got there

[@Scudmaster11]

its clockwork not steam

[@MisterCrow9]

Clockpunk?

[@FenceThis]

Cody Marshall SpringPunk

[@Ryuuu]

nah bruh that's a start of a horror movie

[@johnhumphries505]

Uh, no. This is not steampunk. Steampunk is gobbledygook that does nothing and has no purpose. THIS does something and does have purpose. Please try to understand at the point of steampunk is to be meaningless. and nothing has ever been created that does not have meaning or purpose. Excepting of course Justin Bieber

[@Vaderghost20]

People back in the day weren't stupid just stuck in the time they were born in. One can only imaging what these people could do if born 20 years ago.

[@gimmekromer1151]

@@dperry428 ok boomer

[@gimmekromer1151]

@@dperry428 ok boomer

[@bloodyhell8201]

@@dperry428 this is such a boomer response, i'm surprised you're able to use KZbin

[@valyushalee2320]

@@dperry428 peak boomer.

[@joaco4927]

@@dperry428 In today's world there's so much to learn from the internet, with programs like AutoCAD you can create limitless designs. It's not bad, it's just different.

[@MrArtVein]

"we had no idea of it's real nature" *just wait until 3AM*

[@TheKingRobot]

Art Vein yessssssss 😈

[@rygeanpursues6965]

wahahaha..

[@alexh6767]

Don't be a guard doing overtime on this place

[@Capnmax]

Seems like they should've interviewed the genius machinist who put this back together.

[@TezalTube]

@@wild-radio7373 If they were a women they would have been interviewed lol

[@pendlera2959]

@@TezalTube Riiiiight.

[@pcgameru6196]

He she may not be alive

[@elir7184]

@@TheMotherofTacos do you have sources/proof

[@harrylane4]

@@TezalTube yeah like all those female scientists who got the nobel prize over their male coworkers who did more work, right? Oh wait...

[@enesitsme]

0:40 the thing stops moving to stare directly to the camera OMG IMMA HEAD OUT--

[@W0ElSME]

Pegadinha do _Silvu Santo_

[@TheAuntieBa]

The original creators of automatons were rarely simply "bragging." Consider: no TV, radio, Internet, and even newspapers were fewer and smaller. Handbills were expensive and only used in big cities. Dolls like these advertised for their creators, who made and sold watches, clocks and other equipment and demonstrated their skill.

[@danhopper7597]

TheAuntieBa may. Bnmm

[@danhopper7597]

Anitamadrid

[@danhopper7597]

Playland was cursed by antonLavey

[@danhopper7597]

Antonlavey

[@Handlebarrz]

"Demonstrating their skill"

[@darkpone3731]

if the art of automatons evolved beyond mere clocks and tricks just imagine the quality of our prosthetics today.

[@mediocreman6323]

Erm … I don't think so, in respect of the materials available, in respect of our understanding of immunology (possible rejection of foreign materials and other issues), and so on. Also, the precision needed for “real sophistication” was not there yet, just think of Charles Babbage's machines, which could not be made to work back in the day, because the tolerances were too lose, but modern builds using the same plans work. But yes, these machines are incredibly impressive.

[@lolbosss]

*laughs in hook*

[@jpmmac2005]

he is talking about prosthetics, as in limb attachment to the body, which most are done externally. i think if it were to evolve to more than just parlor tricks and bragging rights of the inventors, we would have complex mechanical hand, arms or even legs today..

[@darkpone3731]

Joel Philips Macrohon thank you 🙏

[@GiacoC]

eh...today we have prosthetics able to make person without legs run like cheetah and arms that are able just thanks to pressure points in your crippled elbow to enable you pick up egg without crushing it 🙊 I guess we already there and these people are still around in higher numbers than ever...just living in anonymity in Sillicon Valley for example

[@naughtysauce4323]

The brain power to build these extremely complex machines is mind blowing.

[@Kevscancave]

That’s so true… it’s mind boggling 👍👀👍

[@speed999-uj5kr]

Not for me

[@DR-sv8ke]

​@@speed999-uj5krbahahahaha

[@Coppermeshman]

To design is one, to build requires a fulfillment of skill.

[@AethernaLuxen]

I've always wondered what people back then do with their free time. Now I know

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

They were all extremely well read and highly advanced musicians. Please read some books of the time. You'll see. There are people who even "live" in this time frame today, who write about their experiences. Look them up.

[@lol-zp1ps]

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 Very few people were "extremely well read, and highly advanced musicians." Reading didn't become a common skill until after these automatons were made. And even fewer people had the kind of free time needed to make one of these things.

[@JD-kf2ki]

Free time? No this is productive.

[@allsmilesguy]

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 A rare and gifted few*

[@AlaskaTrucker]

Unbelievable! And I think I'm a smart guy when I build a car body or diagnose an engine problem. The guys that created these automatons must have been incredibly talented and imaginative engineers - and they didn't run down to the local hardware store on their lunch hour when they needed a bolt or lock nut either, they had to create them too! Thanks for posting!

[@DC_ABC_123]

I'm an engineer and fabricator. Imagine figuring this out and fabricating it by hand...by candle light! Absolutely amazing.

[@parentsbasement7734]

How about the guy who put it back together now thats some patience

[@100videosandnosubscribers3]

The original creator must have been fascinating to meet. It's easy to copy, once you've seen it and know how it works. But to have clock parts in front of you, and then think of a way to make a boy, now that is genius.

[@Oberkommando]

@@100videosandnosubscribers3 yes and there was no internet back then where one could learn. Today if i have a problem i just google it - these guys had to figure it all out themselves

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

@Phillip Martin and with those professions, how difficult would it be for you to make a doll like this?

[@distorta]

They record the movements on those brass disks by having someone wear the same design arm mechanism that creates the drawing. The apparatus copy that is worn by a human is used to draw the real human movements onto trace paper. The trace papers then tells them where to cut the grooves on the cams that make the movements recorded forever.

[@sesequatch2598]

How recorders work as well? lol

[@xNoiiRxcCoeuRx]

Might you have a link to a fitting video to your explanation. I'm more of a visual learner.

[@everberry51]

Got a video?

[@Liusila]

I wonder how the human wearing the rig would make sure the disks were carved in the first time? Would they have been clay or something similar?

[@crisbowman]

@@xNoiiRxcCoeuRx The arms appear to move with cables or cords like bike brakes. One could reverse engineer the system so you create the cams from the drawing, rather than the drawing from the cams.

[@ianmoone1299]

Imagine the machinist's reaction after fixing the automaton then seeing for the first time what it writes/draws! Wish he was also interviewed.

[@ZuZu-bb3jz]

I remember seeing this on tv when it first aired and being amazed. I begged and begged to go to the Franklin institute for weeks and when we got there, I watched this thing for like an hour. I read Hugo like a thousand times, and Brain Selznick is still my favorite author. I live like a half hour away from the other museum featured in this, and my family spend an entire day in there. From opening to closing. Flash forward to now, I still dream of working for a department in Disney where they make or design their animatronics, which are really just modern day automatons. I never realized how much this one segment inspired me and pushed me to becoming who I am today. Thanks.

[@kariduanimations]

He’s my favourite author too, I read the book many times. I want to see this automaton for myself but I live in Australia so I’d have to fly over first lol. It *will* happen though.

[@vlaerenko]

The movie HUGO brought me here!

[@TECfan1]

Me three.

[@davidince6954]

vlaerenko same

[@ashazzani1640]

Me too

[@user-di8dx1vr4s]

I came here because of Syberia. I thought "there's no way a full sized clockwork train exists". I was right, but still, automata are fascinating.

[@donaldvincent]

George, you may find it interesting that there were several makers of full sized, clockwork cars around the turn of the last century. More information on these and other "strange" ideas such as compressed air, & even electric cars can be found in a wonderful book called "The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942" Yes,1805! It was called the "Steam Amphibian" it was basically a steam powered boat with wheels so it could be driven from lake to lake to clean docks. But I guess if you could drive it, it could be called a "car". Especially since there was nothing to compare it to. Have a Good Holiday .

[@metrikal1]

"How ironic that I was designed to express these trivial notes and drawings for the amusement of others, while I can have no expression of my own. My hands and body forced through these motions while I watch in horror, knowing that if I had the ability to open my mouth of my own accord, this cursed chamber would be filled with nothing but the sounds of my screaming"

[@user-hy6cp6xp9f]

Alien?

[@TheVaughnenator]

"I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream"

[@rezandrarizkyirianto-1933]

You should write a creepypasta

[@mandarinablue8438]

Oh hey dude. That's talent. Do you write stories and stuff? You should. This was actually chilling even if it was short.

[@metrikal1]

@@mandarinablue8438 haha thanks, ya I do a little writing sometimes, should prolly do more

[@Jeanclaudevanderfield]

I build scrap metal automata and sculptures, nothing that compares to any of these masterpieces, but I love learning from the genius ways the masters designed and built these elaborate works! Such precision, innovation, and hours of dedication, it's always inspiring!! Thanks for this wonderfully produced video!!

[@bloopydabloop8860]

That’s so cool! I wish I knew how to do that!

[@SBecktacular]

That thing is sooooo cool- Its expression and eyes are haunting but serene.... And the crafting of the gears is exquisite !

[@SlightlyWetFart]

So clever. I wonder how many other lost arts there are that remain undiscovered

[@susususu6778]

Oh my gosh, you're right! That's exciting to think about.

[@TheKingRobot]

Many, but it still takes extraordinary people and passion to bring em back! Those discs are just crazy complicated!

[@mlgproplayer2915]

Me too!

[@orderofshadow]

SlightlyWetFart imagine if library of alexandria wasn’t burned.

[@imrankh68]

@@orderofshadow and or the library of Baghdad wasn't destroyed by the Mongols

[@HeavymetalHylian]

So cool, but horror movie material

[@gardensofthegods]

There's a vid you need to see and it will creep you out... it's called something like " there's a Lady Gaga robot and she's terrifying " . It was an exhibit some years ago and you should watch it to the very end ... it is downright scary especially knowing that technology has advanced since then .

[@MrTechmoore]

Yes, especially if it wrote or drew something immediately in the future like Stephen Kings short story "The Dune". 💀

[@tonyellen_]

Agreed! Do not go to that museum at night!

[@frankstrawnation]

Which makes it even more cooler.

[@juangokuz0578]

There is one of those in your basement....get your FLASHLIGTH

[@rsuriyop]

This kind of stuff is still brilliant even hundreds of years later.

[@elwoodjacobs4353]

When I was watching Hugo I thought that the picture that the automaton drew was just movie magic as I thought it was too complex, but now I see that it does fit within the realms of reality.

[@CincyPlasmaTech]

Alita was a cyborg pulled from the trash by Doc Ido and brought back to life. Her first friend was Hugo.

[@MaximilianonMars]

🤯

[@100videosandnosubscribers3]

Hugo first appeared in _Battle Angel Alita (aka Gunnm)_ chapter 8, Shueisha's _Business Jump_ magazine, October 1991 _The Invention of Hugo Cabret_ by Brian Selznick was released 30 January 2007 I couldn't find any sources saying he was inspired by the manga but that's my new fan theory :)

[@wild-radio7373]

@@100videosandnosubscribers3 aha! Me thinks ;)

[@mysmirandam.6618]

I love that story

[@harrietlyall1991]

E T A Hoffmann was obsessed with automata, (eg “The Nutcracker” etc) and, having watched this, now I understand why!

[@johannesjoseph823]

Or the automata in "The sandman"

[@2guystry485]

“It’s something from the late 1700’s” More like it’s something straight out my nightmares

[@steevrawjers]

lol

[@Ezyasnos]

Indeed, especially that clown which loses it's head.

[@matexf4c]

If it amazes people now I just imagine back in the day

[@WWoodyW]

Just watched Hugo last night and was curious if such thing was possible. I can't believe that long ago someone was able to figure all this out and make one that writes. Just absolutely amazing. Nothing short of a genius.

[@bobbydorou8438]

It's such a wonderful film.

[@Scarlett_Azure]

​@@bobbydorou8438yeah. A love letter to the art of film and Georges Melies

[@cranberrycanvas]

so cool how it solved its own mystery!!!!

[@nimbuscloud7432]

Imagine being alone with these things. Observe the silence. Creepy.

[@rinmbp]

This doc recaptured many childhood memories of mine, because my father was both a calligrapher and painter. I am gobsmacked right now watching this artifact, and trying to comprehend the level of engineering, fantasy, and commitment to automatons.

[@johnhumphries505]

I'm fascinated by this kind of ingenuity The brilliance to imagine and then devise it from long ago

[@prestontran7859]

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" is actually pretty good.

[@goremilk8542]

Yes it's really good!

[@NKWTI]

It’s mind blowing. So much precision

[@Eugeniadella]

Masterpiece!!!!! What amazes me the most is the expression in his face... he is focused and enjoying what',s he is doing.. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@robinsquares]

I read the book Hugo Cabret. Now, when I played the video game "Syberia", I remembered them. It is truly an amazing video game for people facinated about automatons.

[@Kanal7Indonesia]

Oh yeah Syberia ii ❤️

[@grandpamcdonald3718]

01:03 That's what happened in The Invention Of Hugo Cabret. So it's true... THATS AWSOME. In the book Hugos father died while he was locked in the museum attic while he was working on the automaton and then their was the fire soo. YES

[@snickerdoodlestudios4939]

I loved the book Hugo!!

[@grandpamcdonald3718]

+SnickerDoodleStudios #BOOKCLUB

[@maxmakesthings9612]

I think this is what the book was based on

[@charliemayfilms1550]

“Lost art of automatons back again” Me: Yes finally! I’ve been waiting! Video: *8 years old*

[@Gearz-365]

It'll get there. Soon...

[@wild-radio7373]

I'm there with you... ♡♡♡

[@meltingatom]

It all started... with a pissing contest between the local watch makers

[@FoxNHound]

In the 18th century, this automaton was probably crowded with people-who would watch it draw and write in pure wonderment and awe. Adults-kids…they all probably thought it was something that could have never even exist. And today, its still amazing people. Seeing all those kids surrounding it in the video was just too precious. The automaton is probably so happy to be astonishing people again.

[@lolliez1111]

Amazing in every sense of the word. So glad you are sharing this with others, Charles Penniman. Thank you.

[@FlukeTog]

Great story thanks CBS I wish more news was like this.

[@willywunder9921]

A very impressive mechanical work of art

[@bizmarkie9112]

I love these things. They're so complex and much cooler than the stuff we use everyday today. I wish they made these more often in today's world.

[@TheKingRobot]

BizMarkie91 we’re still here!🤣

[@Gearz-365]

I think there will be a time in the future where they will make a bigger comeback because of their fascination

[@JohnnySins69XO]

My phone is more complicated than that thing

[@robsan5410]

The thing is that the time it takes to create such beautiful, intricate, and unique stuff like this makes it prohibitively expensive to normal people unless they mass manufactured it which would ruin the magic a bit. The best way to get around this would be to automate most basic jobs in a way which would give normal people the freedom to do whatever ecentric or creative pursuits that they have their heart set on and make beautiful unique things that make life so worthwhile.

[@siyasrivastava1912]

There's a movie named Hugo, that's where I learnt about automatons. It's actually based on clockmakers . Ohh I didn't see the full video😛

[@enid2798]

watched the Hugo movie years ago and i didnt know this video. So fascinating. I dont care if it's kinda scary, i still like it as here we can see top craftsmanship. No batteries, electricity, etc, just pure intricate machinations that are designed to do something. Just love it ♥️

[@ef3142]

i read “the invention of Hugo Cabret” in 4th grade. if you’re interested i would recommend reading it. it was incredible though i didn’t pay attention when we watched the movie lol.

[@ismailtroxler1]

I recently read and finished "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." Great book. I am now readin' it with my eight year old. Timeless! No pun intended....

[@DR-sv8ke]

I remember this being on TV sunday mornings during breakfast. My mom and me would come back from church and my dad would have breakfast readyand he would be watching this show.

[@TF856]

I understand it completely. Each moving part is carefully planned and carved into a cog on a rotating drum. With many different cogs all rotating at the same time it can make many different movements at the same time. Powered by a spring inside of a barrel connected to a fusee tapered cone by a tiny bicycle chain. Very similar to a very old very expensive singing bird in a cage movement. 😃

[@vukcanister]

AUTOMATON? YOUR HESITATION WILL BE NOTED

[@KaeganThornhillTheCyberRaven]

Wow, Resident Evil Biohazard had a Robot like this in the game during the "Happy Birthday" mission.

[@cindybogart6062]

Hugo is such a wonderful movie. ❤❤❤

[@dawngilmour4218]

Am fascinated by these truly amazing works of art

[@fm1224]

Simply AMAZING!

[@gayfucker123]

Shout out to being KZbin Recommended to me 9 years later

[@lynnmontgomery1229]

How wonderfully created is this? Imagine the amount of love put in to make one of these!

[@jonpaul3868]

Watches/clocks, automatons and music boxes are the mechanical wonders!

[@sirpoppinchuck]

The original Robots wow! Da vinci had some also!!!

[@100videosandnosubscribers3]

When I was a kid I read and re-read every textbook I could get my hands on. One of them was home to a favorite page: the paragraphs about automatons. There was one picture, showing the boy that could write and draw. I was awed and fascinated. I've wondered for years, how did it work? Now I know. Those wheels in the back. The details I shall leave as trade secrets. It's great to see people interested in mechanical wonders, even in the modern age where electronics are easier.

[@akunekochan]

That's incredible

[@MrBlueyes95]

Amazing! Just beautiful

[@pepperimps1154]

This is utterly fascinating and truly delightful.

[@applejayz1987]

Its insane the stuff the automata can do, and the fact that the automaton in Hugo could actually draw the shot from trip to the moon just for that one scene!

[@ojcarre2432]

They won’t be laughing when it starts hunting down the security guard

[@constantinosschinas4503]

for all wondering how the cams where designed, i guess it was a reverse process: first the guiding mechanism with pulleys, cogs and whatever else was made, includong the cam followers, then circular, oversized cams where fixed out of paper and a pen was attached on the follower. then the programmer just started the machine and as it cycled he took the hand and started drawing or writing, and the pen was inscribing the correct path on the carton cam, which was later cut on a brass cam and reasembled. repeat that for each drawing and add manual motion of the head and eye blinks, done. it still feels magical though.

[@tigertalk2106]

Fascinating! With the awe of puppets & ventriloquist doll shows! Neet! 🙂

[@ray.gene.bowner]

Interviewer: Lets see what it can do _winds lever_ Automaton: _writes HELP MEEEE_ Charles: *sweat intensifies*

[@funkyeggroll1212]

I cant imagine how amazing that must have been to people in the 1700's.

[@MrMusicRookie]

It still is.

[@WheelEstate]

Wow! That is so fascinating. The craftsmanship and ingenuity are bar none.

[@user-jf7uc7dw7o]

MANUFACTURED at that period of time? RESPECT!!!

[@t-posetimmy6834]

People: the automation reminds me of the Invention of Hugo Cabaret Me: Hugo Schmeisser and the invention of the MP 18

[@Michael-it5zz]

Me: It's an analog cnc machine

[@dukepalatinemmxx2098]

The ancient Greeks (Hellenes) also built automatons.

[@wild-radio7373]

Yeah?

[@modularmuse]

That is truly amazing.

[@jedhawkins1769]

There's no telling what secrets lie hiding behind the minds of those old automatons. What they draw or write might tell us secrets that people took to their graves. Thanks to Hugo and the smart mechanic who fixed that automaton, we now finally know how they work.

[@endmysuffering8601]

This is somehow very entertaining to see and at the same time it scares me

[@xerxes4779]

Magicians: Not even Chris Angel: Automaton Clown: *Lost his head*

[@ceciliacecilia9764]

Wooow! Precise as watch, amazing

[@adorablegirl1559]

Man can be so destructive and so intriguing at the same time

[@chets808]

So the head scientist says…”we had some idea that it was some sort of mechanical automatic device, but we had no idea of its true nature” And that's how the world ends, not with a bang but with a whimper....

[@mountainjay]

This little old dude still prints better than my printer ever will #officespace

[@kein_indianer]

Absolutely fascinating.

[@aaronevans5450]

Fascinating yet mysterious.

[@MRakshay-fb2mu]

Fun fact : This machine was also Featured in Hugo movie

[@yellowbearjelly]

Read the description 😉

[@mhyrr999]

4:07 that is genuinely terrifying lmao

[@JonBlondell]

Genius, art, and craft.

[@Sammers987Man]

A true inspiration to creativity and invention. Very nice.

[@DepressionKnowsBest]

Back in my day we didn't have your fancy pants friends, we had to build them.

[@doncorleone7940]

Those eyes have killing intent every 3 o'clock in the morning

[@bella2304]

Simply wonderful

[@jordantucker9799]

No matter how advance modern technologies get. Gear based machines will always be a strong fascination.

[@Sandwich4321]

This looks like something I would get my 3d printer to do

[@Nga-1984]

@james cowboy lol!! Same thought after reading his comment.

[@Sandwich4321]

@@kartunland yes but not the actual pen moving part

[@imrankh68]

😮

[@wild-radio7373]

Cheater

[@kawaiicutee4593]

I would love to get one of these... to make it do my home work XD

[@shaealrousan5196]

Amazing I wish they could make more of these

[@oliviaswarden6077]

Bravo to engineer to put it back together saving history. BTW we loved the movie Hugo. I fell in love with the Automaton. I'm very intrigued by the old automatons and old tonickelodeon. arcades, nickelodeons. Ty!

[@RaymondLohengrin]

Love the machines and the Scarlatti Sonata at the end.

[@MrDanielSonSon]

This is fucking crazy, why am i just now learning about this at 18.

[@HypnoticHollywood]

lol

[@BrutafulStudios01]

Just another example of how the Internet and the awareness it brings will continue to change the world.

[@davidrbecken]

If you pay attention to what is out there, you will always find new things to amaze yourself with, no matter your age. Check out 'worlds oldest recording' on here. A man recorded on paper decades before Edison or anyone else built a phonograph. He did so to make some sort of artwork, and there was no way to playback the recordings until recently. Though the quality is as bad as you would expect, it is amazing to hear voices that were recorded in the 1850s.

[@ggvbeer4339]

because god don't exist. period.

[@user-vn3mh7xv5h]

AUTOMATON!? FOR SUPEREARTH!!!

[@andreseugling729]

Just amazing!!!

[@PatrickWDwyer]

This book was one of my favorites growing up