Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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.
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.
