Maillardet's Automaton at Franklin Institute Draws

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia -- home to Henri Maillardet's drawing automaton -- has recently updated their site.

In addition to the video seen above, there is some (remarkable) history about the piece, images of drawings that the automaton creates, and shots of the intricate clockwork brass mechanism.

Learn more about Maillardet's Automaton at The Franklin Institute.

Automaton by Maillardet is able to Draw and Write

Maillardet's Automaton is one of the most impressive working mechanical automata in existance. Built around 1800, the automaton is capable of creating amazing drawings and handwriting with a real pen.

It has a great back-story involving its loss, recovery, and unknown origins. The automaton itself plays a pivotal and active role in solving the mystery. Stranger than fiction!

Check out the drawing and writing Automaton by Maillardet at the Franklin Institute's web site.