Rudheath Research Institute of Toy Mechanics: November 2004

monkeysaw

monkeysw
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

A very simple toys made from cardboard and thin strips of wood, held together by staples.
When you move the wooden strips backand forth the monkeys appear to be sawing the log.

Grind Stone nose to it

Grind Stone nose to it
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

Quite a modern tin toy.
with a label on the bottom that says.
"THIS IS NOT A CHILD'S PLAYTHING.IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH TOY SAFETY REGULATIONS.AND IS FOR ADULT COLLECTORS ONLY."
To make the man grind the knife you turn the small handle on the red wheel.
The man seems to move his foot up and down on the pedal to operate the grinding wheel.

Detail of Grindstone

Detail of Grindstone
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

When you turn the wheel the man appears to move the knife around on the grind stone.

Detail of Grind stone

Detail of Grind stone
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

A close up of the grind stone and elastic band "fan belt".

Tin Sparrow

Tin Sparrow
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

A side view of a wind-up tin sparrow and its box.
It has a built in key to wind up the spring.
Non of the mechanisms can be seen.
you wind it up ..release it and watch it jump around in a very haphazard way,
the clockwork motor sort of vibrates..and the tale shakes.
MADE IN CHINA

Tin wind-up Sparrow

Tin wind-up Sparrow
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

Top view of bird and box.

Butterfly

Butterfly
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

Small paper and wire butterfly.
Simple hand made construction.

Butterfly with packet

Butterfly with packet
Originally uploaded by a1scrapmetal.

A paper and wire butterfly powered by elastic band.
I found this in a card shop in Northwich, it is meant to be wound up and then placed inside a card , the poor unsuspecting recipient thus gets a nasty shock when the card is opened..
the butterfly flies out!
This is an old trick done in a new way.
printed on back..
Rewind me 40x. I fly!
Remontez-moi 40x. Je vole!
and a web site address
http://www.magicflyer.com