Today is #worldelephantday. The elephant automaton, after 80 years, has just had its final restored pieces reattached for visitors to see. This completes the restoration of this magnificent and hugely popular highlight of Waddesdon’s art collection, which over the last few years has undergone an extensive project of conservation and servicing. #waddesdon #nationaltrust #heritage #history #ntsoutheast | Waddesdon Manor

History | Ancient History on Instagram: "Gustave Vichy’s automatons were celebrated examples of late 19th- and early 20th-century mechanical artistry, combining precise engineering with theatrical charm. Crafted with intricate clockwork systems of gears, cams, and springs, his automatons were designed to mimic lifelike human actions such as writing, playing instruments, or performing small repetitive tasks. Each figure was carefully detailed, often featuring realistic facial expressions, period

"Automatic maid": Museum of Ancient Greek Technology