Sand Powered Automata

Sand Automata are moving tableau powered by falling sand. They have been popular for centuries. We look at the famous Leotard Acrobat Sand Toy, a 19th century Drummer and a Juggler with four balls.
With the emphasis as much on the inside mechanism as on the scene behind the glass The House of Automata explains the secret of these surprisingly good automata.
NOTE for Makers: I forgot to mention that the paddle wheel divisions should be shallow. Add a little card floor about 12mm down each segment, they will fill up much more quickly with sand and the acrobat will be sprightly with far less hanging about to do.

[@kathyflorcruz552]

Even the newspaper clippings inside these gems are gems themselves.

[@westcoaststacker569]

It is always fun finding 100yo etc.. newspaper in walls of homes used to patch holes or just burred. Los Angeles is young compared to European cities I can imagine what could be found there.

[@luigi7112]

Agree

[@PortCharmers]

They are a sort of lead-fossil, if they have a date on. I am part of a volunteer-society running an old cinema over here, and while cleaning out the attic, I found a page from 1953 - the year the house was built. Looks like the carpenters left it there.

[@2FRESH-4U]

History is so amazing it’s crazy to think of all the lives that have been lived

[@VineyKumar-xx3no]

What's a solid idea of send power in toy motivitev it's really a n amezing creation so thanks guys😊

[@RachelLovejoy]

I had never heard of this until now. It is absolutely fascinating.

[@jamessones4044]

The swan one is mesmerising

[@jamesportrais3946]

My father built something like this maybe 50 years ago - I was so tiny, barely a toddler so I don't remember much about it; probably for my older brother. I do recall that it was housed in a cereal packet and ran using rice rather than sand.

[@sharit7970]

Same! Pretty cool!

[@DawnDavidson]

How cool. I didn’t know that the leotard was named after an actual acrobat! That’s really nice to know. Enjoying this introduction to sand automata. :)

[@mortalclown3812]

He lived a very short but thrilling life, it seems. Yet I'd never heard of these devices or his career until this video. Beautiful, wistful glimpses of history. 🌍🍃🔭✨🌙💙🙏

[@CrumpledPaperHearts]

0:59 bro’s packing some heat! 😂

[@darkallegiance666]

I never knew that automata could be powered by sand. Thank you so much for showing these wonderful pieces!

[@danieldecker4597]

I just found one at an auction this past Wednesday. Mine appears to be a souvenir gift from Newcastle theatre in England. There are newspaper clippings at the top sandbox that dates January 11th 1863. It will need to be restored though.

[@Michael_Lederman]

You're doing the best work possible, teaching children how toys should be, filled with imagination and creativity. Bravo.

[@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice]

Toymaking, yes. But you do realise that you play with this toy by just.... mindless staring at a box, right?

[@Michael_Lederman]

@@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice I'd agree with you but then I saw your handle and realized then I'd have to scrub my entire computer.

[@laurencefinston7036]

Thank you for this interesting video. The Leotard toy has a rather large part in an episode in a book by Kenneth Grahame, the author of "The Wind in the Willows". I can't remember whether the episode is in "The Golden Age" or its sequel "Dream Days", which are based on his own childhood with his siblings. They called the toy just "Leotard" and I don't think he mentioned that it was powered by sand, but I don't remember. Both books are in the public domain and available at Project Gutenberg.

[@gildedpeahen876]

The wind in the willows was so impactful on my childhood (I was born in NZ but grew up in the US, plus my mums an Anglophile) and a lot of American kids are unfamiliar

[@darkallegiance666]

It must have been in the sequel, because it’s not in “The Wind in the Willows”. I haven’t read the sequel.

[@laurencefinston7036]

@@darkallegiance666 The stories in "The Golden Age" and "Dream Days" aren't connected to "The Wind in the Willows". They're about his experiences as a child growing up with his siblings. No talking animals, except in the story "The Reluctant Dragon", which is a story-within-a-story in "Dream Days".

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

Thank you for this wonderful, clear explanation and introduction to sand automata. I can't believe I've never heard of them before. They're captivating. I wish I lived in your area (or even your part of the world) and could take one of your classes, which would be fun for all ages! And you two seem to have the best jobs!

[@User-435ggrest]

Wow! This is fascinating. Using sand to make the little characters perform makes me wonder how they came up with that idea. So simple, yet genious in a way🙂

[@tsamgurkhan]

They should make Toys like this more. It invokes imagination.

[@susanjerrell9220]

This video came up in my feed. Had never heard of this; using sand as a "fuel" sort of. Love that you showed us!! Thank you! 💕

[@danieldecker4597]

I just found one of these titled "A Present From Newcastle" ( Newcastle Theatre England) when I opened the back up it had newspaper clippings on the upper sandbox dated January 11th 1863 It will need some restoration but it's a fantastic find.

[@nancyallen8497]

My cousin married a man whose stepfather named Rodions Nikittens and he was a trapeze artist who worked his way through Europe during World War II and then he came to United States and wrote a book about it called "of flight and freedom" One of the only books I've ever read. what amazing story about an amazing man and his life.

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

what has that got to do with this video though!!?? The video is not about trapeze artists it is about restoring toys. The acrobat was just one of three examples.

[@alokinzna]

One of the only books ??? I kinda pity you .

[@noctembra]

That's a cool story, I bet it would be fun if you made one of these modeled after him!

[@asapfilms2519]

A sand automaton stopwatch can also be made. The sand falls and moves a wheel. This wheel moves a counter showing numbers. All of this can be made with acrylic glass and parts can be 3D printed. Rather than sand one could also use mustard seeds or other smaller grains. Rather than using Mr Leotard we can use Ranbir Singh’s paper photo. Or some other celebrity. Maybe Maradona kicking a ball or Virat Kohli Batting a Ball.

[@majorbrighton]

Brilliant, thank you. Will defiantly try some ideas. I thought the quality of the build on the inside was a huge shock, given the period and attitude´s to handcraft skills at that time. It took me back to a time when they had the 1 Penny slot magic puppet shows on Brighton Pear, Black lacquered cabinets with moving puppets that would tell your future or give you a slight glimpse at a ghost etc. I believe they were also run on sand, as you had to slowly pull a lever on some, well I only remember 3 of them. Yet very old and still working in 1955

[@WimvanderBaan]

Dear Michael & Maria, Today I did see your Sand automata for the first time and I enjoyed it very much! Thanks, Wim van der Baan

[@WockToPoland]

I know this vid is a couple years old now, but it doesn't make it any less wonderful. Amazing job, good sir.

[@mortalclown3812]

How sad ~ Monsieur Leotard was only 32 when he died, too. Wikipedia attributes it to infectious disease - possibly smallpox. Rest in Paradise, Jules 💞 Merci beaucoup.

[@lyndioli]

Really cool art pieces! I can't recall ever have seeing these and I've seen a lot of old toys! What a great collectors item! Thank you for showing us how they work and all of the components inside. Love the artwork!

[@WoodysAR]

They were never in existence in our universe until just recently. They did exist! But are a function of Quantum Computing breaking down the barriers between Multiverses. Hence Mandela Effect, Mud Flood, etc. Many new things, that are new to US these days. More and more it will happen.

[@adamrmoss]

Wow, Mr Leotard packing a hefty unit!

[@lilayork5907]

I just bet buttons to bedposts this place has a huge mysterious magical key in it.

[@krekcabnow2910]

It be really neat if someone made a mechanism so that the the wire of the trapeze moved as well to simulate the acrobat swinging through the air while the view stay fixed on him.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

What wonderful creations. I'd never heard of them. Loved learning about Monsieur Leotard too. Do please come back and show us the juggler!

[@canlong9603]

It's kind of creepy and nostalgic at the same time.

[@nithinchirayil8349]

trapeze player automata making . kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5W8Xmdjl7l2bdk

[@thelockpickinglebowski633]

These are great! Thanks for sharing.

[@echognomecal6742]

These are wonderful & quite wonderfully presented! Fantastic!!!!

[@BigParadox]

This is one of the very best videos I have seen on KZbin!

[@IRgEEK]

Fascinating! I had never heard of such an amazing device! Thank you for sharing!

[@ripl0x]

This video showed up in my feed courtesy of the algorithm and I had totally forgotten about these things! I had one of these while growing up and my parents may still have it. It was one of Alfred the Amazing presented by the Dingaling Brothers (lol) and was pretty beat up but still fully functional. Man, this video brought back a lot of memories.

[@TheMarkEH]

Fabulous, thank you for posting this. I've now subscribed to see what else you have been exploring.

[@studiosandi]

Brilliant! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@gregfeneis609]

Very nice 👌 Thank you for sharing this with us

[@thegreywanderer8427]

Thank you for preserving these little wonders made of sand & paper. 😊

[@alejandrodelavilla]

I have seen a couple of your restorations in a tv show. I didn't know that you had a youtube channel, but i love it. This is the first video i watched from your work and subscribed immediately, not to miss any other. Keep up the fine work you do. Love from Argentina.

[@jonhelmer8591]

Great Video! Thank you.

[@wadecostenbader3086]

I've watched this at least 20 times so far- mesmerizing! Curious, have you finished restoration of the juggler? I would love see it working or any other sand powered automata you have!

[@thehouseofautomata]

I agree, Mesmerising is the perfect way to describe a good sand toy. The rhythm is almost biological in sound and effect. The Sand Juggler is a rarity and I have not seen another, it has had previous work that has been incorrect so is very hard to restore. I am hoping for another example to turn up to show me just what to aim for, I suspect the effect will be magical and I need to get it right. He will definitely feature in his own video when done.

[@WoodysAR]

​@@thehouseofautomata Is the Cam the only initiator of action in the Juggler? I work in three d graphics tools that have full physics... I'm going to use a combination of AI, reasoning and physics in graphics programs, and come up with some more ideas for these. When I saw the interesting diversity of the children's trapeze artists but then realized that they had all simply used the same trapeze and none had thought to. Add a second cam on the hand perhaps, holding a bird but that is invisibly counterbalanced, so it spins (flies) around based on gravity and the motion... Endless possibilities!

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

@@thehouseofautomata 01:00 We now know how the term Leotard became famous! "Terrifying" I thought the video was going to be talking about his junk tucked down his left leg! Dont tell me that aint at least half chubby!

[@darrellmurdock6880]

That is a clever old toy design, very pleasing to have seen this video 😊thank you

[@love.ccreid]

beautiful works of art. thank you so much for sharing.

[@barrykent9877]

Fantastic! Thank you!

[@Redacted-mi4rm]

One of a few videos that hypnotize me.

[@leventhumps3861]

@ 0:55 Okay, come on… your boi is packing schmeat. Imma need you to blur that out. LOL

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Fascinating! 😲 😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I love automatons…and…their mechanisms too 😄😉👍👍

[@crchuckh6852]

Amazing, two thumbs up and thank you for sharing

[@sandnerdaniel]

The construction of the Leotard figurine is very smart yet simple, it is incredible how it moves. Thanks for the video!

[@spookingdom9327]

Wonderful information. Thank you for sharing.

[@nithinchirayil8349]

trapeze player automata making . kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5W8Xmdjl7l2bdk

[@scalegunreplicas2487]

This was great. Good job

[@bevsartsandcrafts715]

That was brilliant. I’d love to have a go at making one of these ❤

[@superwolf28]

What an awesome presentation. I didn’t know that these existed. Think I’m going to make one.

[@Kiyoone]

WOW. This looks amazing. Never heard of this until NOW. people back in time were much more creative than we think

[@luigi7112]

Wonderful piece of art

[@o0monox0o]

❤ Una belleza!!! Combina varias cosas que me atraen y me encantan: nostalgia vintage, ciencia, arte, diseño, decoración, juguetes, trabajo manual minucioso... Definitivamente tengo que hacer uno!!!

[@KillerCaitie]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@markodaniel2090]

Very nice video…. I enjoyed it much…thank you‼️

[@ALGRao-vf9ok]

So fascinating, amazing and simple toys. Would love to make one. Thanks for sharing.

[@olivvapor4873]

Thank you for great and explanatory review ! I heard about these toys but never really know how they performed … other than with gravity ! 😊 Everything is super smart in these toys ! I will definitely try to make one !

[@textbookscience6936]

Thanks. I love it. Will share when I will build one

[@carenmontgomery2384]

fun + fantastically creative + whimsical!

[@Unpurelight]

Acrobat: Look at that little dude go! Drummer: He is a demon! He has evil in his eyes!

[@Johnalucard-jo3yi]

These are amazing pieces. New to me.!!!!! Love them.

[@tracyroake2815]

How delightful! Thank you so much. I have a wind-up automatron circus performer! It is definitely one of my treasures.

[@rodolfoblasser3329]

Thanks for sharing, this is amazing.

[@renacimientodelsol5620]

Wonderful video

[@clown134]

absolutely fascinating and ancient looking devices. i know theyre not like.. thousands of years old ancient, but in the age of computers and machine learning its easy to imagine them as such. and to think about how fortunate it is that they still survive to this day is amazing

[@lukedominicodonnell2347]

I'm inspired! Thanks so much.

[@paraglidingprospector]

Amazing gadget! So cool!

[@CaskStrength777]

This made me so happy 😊 really fun to find such a simple wonder

[@whizzytheelephantadventure1063]

I'm certainly feeling the ASMR from this. Beautiful movement of the Michelle Leotard acrobat!

[@manualgeorge4349]

Wonderful thanks for the video 📣 👍

[@UkuleleEllie22]

Fascinating!

[@Automedon2]

The diversity and skills of people's interests is astounding. All the small things that make the world a better place.

[@Zamarae]

People are so ingenious and creative and cool to see something from so long ago that, not sure anyone would have thought of again

[@neoAREAXIS]

How delightful. Cheers.

[@winstonchaychel]

This is really cool!!!! I think I want to try to make one now. I love little quirky things and this is just spectacular 🥰💜

[@midgardo4]

It's the first time I see anything like this, it is a real clever and unique mechanism.

[@whydahell3816]

What a beautiful piece of history. I love it. 😊

[@opalfishsparklequasar8663]

Magnificent. Thank you. 🙂👍💖💎🏆💐

[@ianeagle40nil]

Great stuff.👌

[@anaquezia5532]

That's so cool! I've never seen one of these before! Very creative

[@EmilyKresl]

I always assumed it was some time of pendulous magnets doing all that so thank you for teaching me something new!

[@marc5585]

magnificooo me encanto magicooo muchas gracias!!!!

[@christastic100]

Very interesting and love the history of these automata . Enjoy anything automata or whirligig.

[@RelateGREAT]

Well that was super cool. I've never seen these before. Thank you.

[@reneewilloughby]

This comforts my soul

[@dedicatedspuddler7641]

Wonderful!

[@kleoqwer]

Thank you for this video. I would love to make one with my kids!

[@SherryRector]

I bought a couple of these in the mid90s for my grandson. Of course they were wind up but the man flipped over a bar. Had no idea they used sand way back when.

[@paulaneary7877]

WOW! i have been in love with Automata for years. I would love to learn how to make one of these! Thank you so much for the video! I am going to try to find someone to teach me how to do this!

[@derickpilky5096]

Fantastic never new any thing about these thank you for sharing

[@nithinchirayil8349]

trapeze player automata making . kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5W8Xmdjl7l2bdk

[@erichuffman8928]

Those old recordings are so CREEPY! But I love the Automation. I always remember those old Steam-Punk movies and animations.

[@alixsprallix]

great video

[@ericalbany]

I've seen one of a dancer who just moves slightly up and down, but her suspended legs and feet swing about charmingly.

[@fatimapereiradarosa977]

I don't know why I came to this channel. But I just subscribed because it's lovely and magical!

[@dariusus9870]

Fascinating

[@raegun]

I love this so much. You've made a new subscriber today.

[@karakuliodeon]

Amazing. Thanks for posting this

[@nithinchirayil8349]

trapeze player automata making . kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5W8Xmdjl7l2bdk

[@BarbaraCowdery]

Wow! I want to make one now!

[@sergiogar2279]

Uauuu, parabéns pelo trabalho de restauração, lindos brinquedos!. Saudações do Brasil.

[@goatintuxedo2206]

very educational and it shows simple mecanics that can be used in dios. thank you ☺️

[@LuceroLucifer]

the both of you are awesome and this video was great