[Art]

OK so the Silver Swan was and is actually more of an Automaton rather than a robot although it is a mechanical representation of a living being and it carries out a programmed set of instructions via internal gears and clock springs.

It is still an amazing creation especially when one realizes that it was built not in some lab today but in the 1770's by a clock maker and master jeweler. It is made entirely of Silver and it's animation is still as intriguing as when it was first displayed for viewers over 240 years ago!

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/sawnautomaton4

[Freddy]

Amazing. Merlin hey ? Aptly named. 

[Korrelan]

I've never seen that automaton example before... that must have been a labour of love lol.

Extremely impressive for the time.

 

[Art]

I also liked the illusion of the swan catching a fish in it's mouth. Extremely well crafted in order to still work in our time. Would love to see it's inner workings.