High above the roaring crowd, where the air grew thin and the world below seemed a distant blur, a lone trapeze artist stood, balancing on the narrowest platform. His heart raced, but his face remained calm, framed by the spotlights that flickered like stars in the darkened tent. The highest trapeze in the world swayed gently in the air, a thin bar suspended by two impossibly long ropes, as he took his leap into the void. For a moment, he hung weightless, suspended between earth and sky, his body a perfect arc of grace and precision. The audience held its breath as he spun through the air, twisting in impossible ways, each movement fluid and deliberate. Time seemed to slow as he reached for the distant bar, fingers grazing it before gripping tight, his momentum carrying him forward in a breathtaking swing, a man defying gravity, fear, and the limits of the human spirit.

What is an automaton? An automaton can be described as self-operating machine. Automata have been around for centuries, delighting, humoring and mystifying on-lookers with their lifelike actions. Automata from ancient times include King Solomon's throne with mechanical animals that hailed him as King as he ascended it. In ancient China a talented mechanical engineer presented a lifelike human automaton to the Emperor that could walk, sing, posture, and even wink at the ladies of the court. The Emperor was reportedly not amused. Hundreds of years later in 17th Century France, a gifted engineer created the Digesting Duck that appeared to eat, digest and then poo!

• Fascinating automaton kit with real wooden parts
• To assemble, just slot together the precision-cut pieces

  No glue or tools required

• Colorful and delightful figures

For more information, please email us at clocks@northcoastimports.com

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