As part of our Mechanics theme this month, we’re giving away three signed copies of Dustyn Roberts’ awesome Making Things Move. This book is the perfect introduction to understanding basic machines and mechanisms and how to more intelligently incorporate them into your projects. We’ve been having such a great response to using these giveaways as […]
Before there were electronic computers, there were mechanical computers, and one of the most important uses of these was in directing gunfire on surface warships. Mechanical fire control computers took inputs from manned instruments that visually tracked enemy ships, and also considered variables such as wind speed and direction, the firing ship’s heading and velocity, etc. That information—completely in the form of physical displacements of mechanical movements—was cranked through a complex train of shafts, gears, cams, and differentials that computed the optimal firing solution, and automatically aimed the guns accordingly. This film series, produced by the US Navy in black-and-white sprocket-clatter 1950s glory, explains the general principles of mechanical computation, as applied to fire control systems, in clear and engaging language with nice animated diagrams. It’s been ported to YouTube in seven parts by user navyreviewer. Totally engrossing. [via Boing Boing]
Utah-based artist Andrew Smith creates fantastical kinetic sculptures with found objects and beyond. We caught up with him recently to chat about the challenges in making kinetic sculpture, his influences, dreams of junk, and the disconnect between the general public and the art world. Since his pieces come to life with movement, the best place […]
This month, for our Mechanics Skill Set, we’re happy to have our friend Dustyn Roberts joining us again to help out with the theme. We’ll be excerpting from Dustyn’s book, Making Things Move: DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists, doing a giveaway of signed copies of her book, and she’ll be writing some original […]
This month, we’re thrilled to announce our Mechanics Skill Set. Over the course of March, we’ll explore the wonderful world of simple machines, mechanical forces, motors and motion. We’ll have guest authors, including our friend and MAKE contributor Dustyn Roberts, author of Making Things Move, features on the basic tools, materials, and techniques of mechanical […]
Built mostly from Lego Technic elements by Brickshelf user barman, who credits the idea to a model displayed at Brickfest 2006 by one Jason Allermann. Looks like it can’t really expand that far. Still cool, though.
That was written in 2009. Rog has an impressive collection of Karsten steam engines, most of which seem to be based on the aeolipile. Gintschel-Modelbau now has a German-language website, but Rog’s page shows many older models not included there.
