Title: Androids in the Enlightenment : mechanics, artisans, and cultures of the self /
Authors: Voskuhl, Adelheid.
Year: 2013
Subjects: Technology History; Robots History.; Mechanical engineering History; Artisans Europe History.; Enlightenment Europe; Artisans; Enlightenment; Mechanical engineering; Robots; Technology; Europe.; Europe
Abstract: In this volume, Adelheid Voskuhl investigates two automata - both depicting piano-playing women. These automata not oly play music, but also move their heads, eyes, and torsos to mimic a sentimental body technique of the 18th century: musicians were expected to generate sentiments in themselves while playing, then communicate them to the audience through bodily motions.
Contents: Introduction: androids, Enlightenment, and the human-machine boundary -- The harpsichord-playing android; or, clock-making in Switzerland -- The dulcimer-playing android; or, furniture-making in the Rhineland -- The design of the mechanics; or, sentiments replicated in clockwork -- Poetic engagement with piano-playing women automata -- The "Enlightenment automaton" in the modern industrial age.