We never cease to be amazed and delighted by the artistry and craftsmanship of automata maker Dug North. The fundamentals of cam followers guide he published inspired this Crickit-based automaton project and guide. Dug’s more advanced creations are a wonder to behold — here is a favorite — Mekanikos vs. The Minotaur

From the artist:

My goal for this piece was to create more organic forms of motion. The minotaur figure has a ball-and-socket joint at his pelvis, which allows him to thrash about when the chains strapped to his wrists are pulled in sequence by a mechanism below.

Though it seems as if the strongman, Mekanikos, is tugging against the minotaur, in reality the monster is driving all of the strongman’s many subtle motions via a hidden linkage.

The scene inside the box reveals that this sideshow is hoax. The minotaur is a fake, driven by a hidden worker cranking away below the stage. Beside him, another worker assembles a backup minotaur.