IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF ACTUATING COLOSSAL AND OTHER FIGURES OF MEN, MONSTERS, AND ANIMALS FOR STAGE' PURPOSES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Weymouth Birkbeck Thelwall, of Upper Holloway,
in the County of Middlesex, Artist, for the Invention of "IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF ACTUATING COLOSSAL AND OTHER
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Weymouth Birkbeck
Thelwall at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 20th April 1872.
I, WEYMOUTH BIRKBECK THELWALL, of Upper Holloway, in the
County of Middlesex, Artist, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF ACTUATING
COLOSSAL AND OTHER FIGURES OF MEN, MONSTERS, AND ANIMALS FOR STAGE'
PURPOSES," to be as follows :-
For this purpose, according to my Invention, I make an internal
skeleton of the required dimensions adjusted in a suitable manner to the
human body according to the nature of the man, monster, or animal
to be represented, and so constructed as to transfer the natural move-
A

page_text: ments of the human form to an external figure representing the required
man, monster, or animal.
The Invention therefore has for its object an adjustment of apparatus
to the human body in combination with a skeleton of the figure required
upon which the forces of the human body act, an outer figure being
attached to the skeleton so as to follow its movements.
The adjustment to the body may be any convenient mode of attaching
the different limbs or some of them to the corresponding parts of the
required skeleton which will leave them sufficient freedom of action.
The skeleton must be so constructed (both as to form and proportion)
that the said adjustments and mechanism can be applied in the proper
positions as to produce the motions required in the external figure, and
with power sufficient for the strength and security of the machine and
the purposes of show or representation required.
The outer figure I propose to construct in two parts. First, a light
model of cane, wire, or other elastic open basketwork of the body and
limbs of the intended man, monster, or other figure corresponding to
the skeleton and attached thereto in any convenient manner, the object
of which is to support and retain in proper form a skin of single or
double vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material which may if
desired be further inflated with air, and painted, stained, or dressed in
any desirable manner. Thus in the case of a colossal man I place tho
operator upon stilts sufficiently high to bring his foot on to about the
level of the intended knee of the figure, attaching to the base of the
stilt (if required) a spring sole of proper length, or a model sole governed
by a parallel action controlled by the foot of the man or operator, thus
giving a natural action to the foot of the giant (but this arrangement
may if desired be omitted).. From a convenient point of each stilt, to
which it is attached by a joint, a rod is carried to the level of the waist
of the operator and fastened thereto, forming the skeleton of the giant's
legs and jointed at the knee and hip, so that the movement of the
operator's leg shall produce similar movements in that of the giant. The
fastenings of the two rods at the waist of the man or operator are united
by a convenient horizontal bar, from which a support is carried upwards
branching outwards into suitable positions to support the sockets from
which depend the rods forming the skeletons of the figure's arms, which
are made of the desired length and properly jointed. These rods are
so adjusted that at a convenient point of the lower arm an attachment

page_text: is provided to fit the wrist of the operator, so that his arm governs that
of the figure, leaving his hand free. The hand then passes into a glove,
to the fingers of which lines are attached which convey natural move-
ments to the hands of the giant by an arrangement similar to the action
of the natural muscles and sinews of the human hand. From the support
of the arm sockets or shoulders of the figure the support of the head of
the figure is carried upwards, jointed at the proper part for the neck of
the figure, and adjusted so as not to interfere with the free movements
of the operator's head, which fits into a close skull cap of any suitable
material, from which lines. and levers cause the head of the figure. to
follow the movements of that of the operator. The lower jaw of the
figure is moved by a lever adjusted to the operator's jaw in such manner
that the elongation of his face will produce a similar action of the jaw
of the figure, but the elevation or depression of his head will have no
effect. In a similar way an elastic band or bands attached or clinging
to the operator's eyebrow or brows conveys motion to the eyes of the
figure, as may be desired. If 'the movements of the face of the figure
are required to be simply grotesque, the above appliances may be inter-
changed or modified in any suitable manner.
.: In the case of an animal or monster, though the principle is the same,
a different arrangement of mechanical appliances is required, according
to circumstances and character of the animal or monster to be re-
presented. As the form of an animal's leg will not allow of the
operator's weight being supported by stilts, I first construct a skeleton
of the desired animal or monster properly jointed on the same prin-
ciples as in the former case, but I provide the thigh joints of all four
legs with a parallel action, which governs the angles of the other joints
and gives them rigidity in all positions under the control of the
operator's legs or arms. This parallel action moreover converts the
movements of the man into the natural movements of an animal's limbs,
and I terminate the latter with elastic foot soles. To this skeleton I
suspend the operator's body in a convenient recumbent position so that he
looks forward and downward, and he is so placed that the horizontal bar
connecting the hind legs of the skeleton fits. over the small of his back,
or thercabout, with each foot resting on one of the parallels of the
skeleton's-hind thigh joints, by which means the whole lumbar power
of his loins and legs (as distinguished from the muscular action in
walking) is available by means of the leverage from the horizontal bar
A 2

page_text: upon the above-named parallel action to force the joints of the legs of
the figure into the angles required to maintain the figure in an erect
position, and support the weight of the man or operator, which would
otherwise come to the ground. In this posture his legs by suitable
attachments give the necessary movements to those of the figure. 5
The four legs of the monster may be similarly moved by his arms, but
for general purposes I prefer to couple the fore and hind legs diagonally
by internal rods connecting the thigh joints, so that all four legs are
moved by the operator's legs, leaving his arms at liberty. I then apply
the operator's arms and hands by means of convenient levers, wheels, 1
and pulleys to give the requisite motions. to the jaws, eyes, head, neck,
and tail of the monster, to some of which motion may however be given
by the operator's head, if desired, and a pair of wings may also be moved
by the same manual power.
If the animal is required to be of small size the arrangement previously 1
described may be modified, so as to bring the operator's foot to act on
the lower leg of the figure instead of the thigh as above described, but
the principle of action remains the same.
By these means any required figure of men, monsters, or animals,
however grotesque or fanciful, and of any reasonable dimensions, may 2
be constructed and worked in a natural and effective manner according
to my Invention for representative or stage purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Weymouth Birkbeck Thelwall in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 19th October 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WEYMOUTH
BIRKBECK THELWALL, of Upper Holloway, in the County of Middlesex,
Artist, send greeting.
2
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of April, in the year of 3
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Weymouth Birkbeck Thelwall, Her special
license that I, the said Weymouth Birkbeck Thelwall, my exccutors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said "Weymouth
Birkbeck Thelwall, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF ACTUATING COLOSSAL
AND OTHER FIGURES OF MEN, MONSTERS, AND ANIMALS FOR STAGE PURPOSES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Weymouth Birkbeck
Thelwall, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their; or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Weymouth Birkbeck Thelwall, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner.
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
For this purpose, according to my Invention, I make an internal
skeleton of the required dimensions adjusted in a suitable manner to
the human body according to the nature of the man, monster, or animal
to be represented, and so constructed as to transfer the natural move-
ments of the human form to an external Figure representing the
required man, monster, or animal.
The Invention therefore has for its object an adjustment of apparatus
to the human body in combination with a skeleton of the Figure
required, upon which the forces of the human body act, an outer Figure
being attached to the skeleton so as to follow its movements.
The adjustment to the body may be any convenient mode of attaching
the different limbs or some of them to the corresponding parts of the.
required skeleton which will leave them sufficient freedom of action.
The skeleton must be so constructed (both as to form and proportion)*
that the 'said adjustments and mechanism can be applied in the proper
positions as to produce the motions required in the external Figure,
and with power sufficient for the strength and security of the machine,
and the purposes of show or representation required.

page_text: The outer Figure I propose to construct in two parts:-First a light
model of cane, wire, or other elastic open basketwork of the body
and limbs of the intended man, monster, or other figure corresponding
to the skeleton, and attached thereto in any convenient manner, the
object of which is to support and retain in form a skin of single or
double vulcanized india-rubber, or other suitable material, which may
if desired be further inflated with air, and painted, stained, or dressed
in any desirable manner. Thus in the case of a colossal man I place
the operator upon stilts sufficiently high to bring his foot on to about
the level of the intended knce of the figuro. Attached to the base of
the stilt (if required) is a spring sole of proper length, or a model solc
governed by a parallel action controlled by the foot of the man or
operator, thus giving a natural action to the foot of the giant (but this
arrangement may if desired be omitted. From a convenient point of
each stilt, to which it is attached by a joint, a rod is carried to the
level of the waist of the operator and fastened thereto, forming the
skeleton of the giant's legs, and jointed at the knee and hip, so that
the movement of the operator's leg shall produce similar movements
in that of the giant. The fastenings of the two rods at the waist of
the man or operator are united by a convenient horizontal bar, from
which a support is carried upwards branching outwards into suitable
positions to support the sockets from which depend. the rods forming
the skeletons of the figure's arms, which are made of the desired length
and properly jointed. These rods are so adjusted that at a convenient
point of the lower arm an attachment is provided to fit the wrist of
the operator, so that his arm governs that of the figure, leaving his hand
free. The hand then passes into a glove to the fingers of which lines
are attached which convey natural movements to the hands of the giant
by an arrangement similar to the, action of the natural muscles and
sinews of the human hand. From the support of the arm sockets or
shoulders of the figure the support of the head of the figure is carried
upwards, jointed at the proper part for the neck of the figure, and
adjusted so as not to interfere with the free movements of the operator's
head, which fits into a closo skull cap of any suitable material, from
which lines and levers cause the head of the figure to follow the move- 3
ment of that of the operator. The lower jaw of the figure is moved by a
lever adjusted to the operator's jaw, in such manner that the elongation
of his face will produce a similar action of the jaw of the figure, but the
elevation or depression of his head will have no effect. In a similar

page_text: way an elastic band or bands attached or clinging to the operator's eye-
brow or eye-brows.conveys motion to the eyes of the figure, as may be
desired. If the movements of the face of the figure are require to be
simply grotesque, the above appliances may be interchanged or modified
in any suitable manner.
In the case of an animal or monster, though the principle is the
same, a different arrangement of mechanical appliances. is required,
according to circumstances and character of the animal or monster to
be represented. As the form of an animal's leg will not allow of the
operator's weight being supported by stilts, I first construct a skeleton
of the desired animal or monster properly jointed on the same principles
as in the former case, but I provide the thigli joints of all four legs with
a parallel action, which governs the angles of the other joints, and gives
them rigidity in all positions under the control of the operator's legs or
arms. This parallel action moreover conveys the movements of the man
into the natural movements of an animal's limbs, and I terminate the
latter with elastic foot soles. To this skeleton I suspend the operator's
body in a convenient recumbent position, so that he looks forward and
downward, and he is so placed that the horizontal bar connecting the
hind legs of the skeleton fits over the small of his back or thereabouts,
with each foot resting on one of the parallels of the skeleton's hind
thigh joint, by which means the whole lumbar power of his loins and
legs (as distinguished from the muscular action in walking) is available
by means of the leverage from the horizontal bar upon the above-named
parallel action to force the joints of the legs of the figure into the angles
required to maintain the figure in an erect position and support the
weight of the man or operator, which would otherwise come to the
ground. In this posture his legs by suitable attachments give the
necessary movements to those of the figure. The fore legs of the
monster may be similarly moved by his arms, but for general purposes
I prefer to couple the fore and hind legs diagonally by internal rods
connecting the thigh joints so that all four legs are moved by the
operator's legs, leaving his arms at liberty. I then apply the operator's
arms and hands by means of convenient levers, wheels, and pulleys to
give the requisite motions to the jaws, eyes, head, neck, and tail of the
monster, to some of which motion may however be given by the
operator's head, if desired, and a pair of wings may also be moved by
the same manual power.
.
!

page_text: If the animal is required to be of small size the arrangement pre-
viously described may be modified so as to bring the operator's foot to
act on the lower leg of the figure instead of the thigh as above described,
but the principle of action remains the same.
By these means any required figure of men, monsters, or animals, &
however grotesque or fanciful, and of any reasonable dimensions may be
constructed and worked in a natural and effective manner, according to
my Invention for representative or stage purposes.
According to my Invention I make and apply to the human body in
the first place a skeleton of the man, monster, or animal to be represented 1
so constructed as to be firmly fixed to the most convenient part of his
frame, generally the waist or chest, of proportions as nearly corre-
spondent to the desired figuro as may be practicable, and having its
action in accordance with the required design. To this skeleton an
outer figure of the object required correctly modelled and proportioned 1
is then attached enclosing it and held to it at convenient places by
stiff or elastic attachments as may be convenient. The natural move-
ments of the man's members are then conveyed by simple and direct
mechanical means to the corresponding or correlative members of the
skeleton, by which their extent and direction receive the requisito 2
modification for producing natural motions in the skeleton, which are
then applied with suitable adjustments to the external figure, so as to
produce the motions desired to be represented.
By means of this double arrangement almost any conceivable figure
can be correctly constructed and actuated which is of sufficient size to 2
contain a strong boy, and monsters sufficiently gigantic for all the
requirements of stage or other representative purposes can be made
locomotive and efficient without unduly straining the attention of the
performer for the production of the desired motions.
And in order that my Invention may be clearly understood and 3
readily carried into practice, I will proceed to describe the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
In constructing a colossal figure of a man in accordance with my
Invention I first make a pair of stilts, (as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of
the Drawings,) where A, B, L, represents an ordinary stilt of wood or 3
metal, as light as possible to be of the required strength. At B', B, Bª
is placed a stiff sole to receive the operator's foot, and working on a

page_text: pivot at B. From joints attached to this sole at B' and B' descend the
rods B¹, A¹, and B³, A³, attached at suitable proportionate distances to
the sole A², A³, of the figure by simple joints, so that the motions of
the operator's foot produce corresponding motions in the sole or foot
of the figure working on the pivot A. A suitable amount of spring
should be given to this sole to relieve the strain upon the man's foot.
By this construction the body of the man may be sustained at any
required height above the ground with perfect solidity and case, leaving
the operator free from any anxiety as to his stability, and capable of
performing all the functions required of him in his performance with
freedom and safety. This stilt may whenever desirable be jointed at
the pivot B, in order to allow the operator in falling to reach the ground
in an erect position on his feet, which correspond with the knees of the
giant. To secure safety for this arrangement I attach to the pivot a
6 disc of metal, F, B³, E, C, one quarter of which, from F to O, is divided
off and attached to the upper part of the stilt (see Figure 4) the re-
mainder being fixed to the lower part in such a way that when the joint
opens the two parts of the disc revolve upon one another. At F is
placed a bolt Fª, which works perpendicularly in a box G, and in which
) when drawn into the groove formed to receive it in the disc keeps the
joint secure and rigid. It is held in its place by the india-rubber
spring F, E, that can be withdrawn at the will of the operator by simply
bending his knees sufficiently, by which the lever L, It, attached to his
thigh by the band M is worked on the pivot I, raising the bolt by
means of the cord L, G. By again straightening his knee the bolt is
released, and will be drawn into its place by the spring F, E, as soon as
the disc is in the proper position to receive it. The return of the
joint to the position for locking is assisted by the strong india-rubber
spring D, D, attached to the edge of the disc at D, D, and acting over
the rollers C, C¹.
The same results may be obtained by substituting a circular metal
spring like a clock spring (or less effectively by a gun spring) for the
spring D, D, acting concentrically with the pivot B, in which case the disc
may be reduced or dispensed with, and the same spring may also bo
made to force the bolt into its place, thus dispensing with the spring F, E.
So also an arrangement of levers may be adjusted between the man's knee
and the rod N, K, of the skeleton, forming its thigh joint, by which the
bolt may be both withdrawn and replaced by the motion of the leg of the

page_text: .
operator, thus placing the joint entirely under his control. Or again by
making the joint K in the knee of the giant coincido with the pivot B,
and slightly modifying the foot arrangement, affixing a transverse lever
at right angles to the rod B, A, and connecting it by another lever with
the performer's knee, the bolt and springs may be dispensed with
and the entire action of the joint left to the control of the knee of the
man. But this arrangement requires great skill and use in the operator
and is not therefore advisable. I reserve however the right to use any
or all of these methods as occasion may require. In order to break
the force of striking the ground and to assist the performer in rising,
strong metal springs H, H', (on the principle of gun springs, and
whoso action is in harmony with the spring of the foot,) are placed
between a fulcrum h at the ball of his foot and the point in the knce of
the figure which would first touch the ground. The stilt is attached to
the operator's leg by leather straps and buckles M, M², M³, M³, in the
ordinary manner as is well understood.
In order to adjust the skeleton of the giant to the man so elevated and
secured, a pivot joint I is affixed to the rod A, B, at a distance suffi-
ciently below the intended knee joint to give it so much action, without
bending the stilt joint B, as may be necessary to give a natural :
appearance of ease to the motions of the outer figure of the leg in
walking or moving, without allowing the joint K to strike the ground
in falling. To this pivot I the rod I, K, is attached, and the rods K, N,
and N, O, form the thigh and hip joints of the giant to the waist. O is
a stiff pivot joint, and N a cup and ball placed similarly to the hip joint a
of the human body. The joint K is a hinged joint with a stop to the
rear. By this arrangement the mere alteration in the lengths and
position of the limbs of the man and of the skeleton when the operator
is in motion will produce the required action of the skeleton's joints,
and the movements of the legs of the outer figure will be in all respects
natural and similar to those of the performer. At the waist the skeleton
of the giant corresponds in relative position with that of the operator,
and must be very firmly fixed thereto by a properly adjusted belly
band P, P', by preference of metal supplemented by webbing T or
other equally efficient material in the manner of surgical pelvis
bandages, and the superstructure of the skeleton to the throat of the
performer should be further secured by a collar S, U, of webbing, as
upon the immobility of this adjustment to his waist and chest the

page_text: proper movements of the giant's head and face will greatly depend.
From the waist band P, P', standards are erected from P to S, and
from P¹ and P³ to S¹ and S', to support the shoulder picce S, p³, P, p³,
and give rigidity to the parts raised upon it. At Q, branches procced
from this shoulder piece to the required points at which the shoulder
joints of the skeleton can be most advantageously placed, and the
position of which must vary according to the proportions of the figure
to be represented, and the performer to whom it must be adapted.
The shoulder joint of the skeleton I form into two joints (where size
is an object), and place as far as possible above and behind the per-
former's shoulder. The inside joint is a simple pivot stop joint acting
upwards only. At a distance of 2 to 4 inches from this joint horizontally
outwards I place a cup and ball joint, held forwards and downwards at an
angle of 45°, or thereabouts, but having the centre of the ball in line with
the centre of the bar connecting it with the inner joint (as shewn at
Figure 5. From this outer joint the arm rod of the skeleton proceeds
to R, where there are two joints R and R', one of them a cup and ball
forming the elbow of the giant, and from thence a short rod connects
the wrist piece V, V, which attaches the hand of the giant and and the
O mechanism which moves it to the small part of the performer's arm,
leaving his wrist and hand free. This wrist piece may be constructed
as (shewn at Figure 6), where is a circlet of sufficient diameter for
the hand to pass through casily. Near the upper edge of a packing
box is fixed externally, which works up and down in the outer cylinder
,, which also is furnished with an internal stuffing box vd, vd, thus
constituting the small space between the two cylinders into an air pump
acting as a spring to receive and soften any severe shock in falling,
which is attained by attaching the glove x (which contains the man's hand
and wrist) to the inner cylinder at its upper edge t³, t, the hand of the
giant by the sustaining rods V, X, and V, X, to the outer cylinder, which
is then fixed to the arm rod by the ring of, s, in which it revolves freely.
A spiral metal spring may be substituted for the above-described air
spring if preferred, by which a lighter construction may be adopted or
2, 3, or 4 gun springs may be used, or a single cylinder with the heads of
5 the rods V, X, and V, X', placed against springs attached to the cylinder
by blocks, and in some cases the springs may be dispensed with alto-
gether. Each of these arrangements has advantages and disadvantages
which will determine their adoption in each case.
In the glove 2

page_text: are placed small metal rings 1, 2, 3, 4, attached by threads to the ends
of the fingers, so that they cannot quite be drawn out of the fingers
of the glove, and provided with glove finger ends to receive the finger
points of the man's hand as they enter the fingers of the glove. To
these rings strong cords are attached passing externally to the inner
cylinder ³, t, as shewn, and thence to pulleys and attachments on the
wrist of the glove, so that as the fingers of the man press into the fingers
of the glove the wrist of the latter is tightened firmly round the wrist
of the operator. On this pressure being withdrawn the glove may be
opened again by springs as at th, th, which may be of metal or india-
rubber at pleasure. The glove and wrist must be strong and closely
fitted to the performer. To the inside of the hand but outside of the
glove a strong metal bar is affixed in the position convenient for
grasping. This bar ¹ (Figures 1 and 2) moves up and down upon the
bearings e, e, in slots in the levers a, b, a¹, b', which are thus controlled
and moved by the performer's wrist, whether his hand be open or shut.
These levers work on the pivots b, b', and are further provided with slots
in which case the studs c, c', slide, which being fixed in the end of the
levers c, d, c¹, d', give to them a motion opposed to that of the levers
a, b, a², b¹, and being continued to and fixed to the hand X, X², com-
municate to the hand the same motion as that of the performer.
The hand of the giant is constructed of thin metal plate moulded into
the general form, and fitted with pivots to the wrist joints X and X' on
either side of the wrist, leaving the centre part free for the action of the
cords which govern the action of the fingers. It is also fitted with
pivots, as shewn at Z, a, on which the fingers hinge at the angles most
desirable according to the circumstances of the case, as may be roquired,
and the fingers are jointed, as drawn, in the way commonly used for
artificial hands, but slightly altered in adjustment to obtain as much
leverage as possible. Thus the pivots of the joints are placed as near
the knuckle as possible, and the circular joints by preference formed of
vulcanite project inwards beyond the metal tube which forms the finger,
and protects the cords which conveys motion to the joints. The metal
tubes and the joints are divided down the centre of the finger to allow
free movement to the cord, which attached to the tube of the fore joint :
at Z, c, passes round the pulleys fixed in points Z, b, and Z, a, and continues
to the end of corresponding finger of the glove x, so that as the per-
former closes his fingers those of the giant do the same, while the hand

page_text: of the operator closing on the bar a gives firmness and sensitiveness to
his grasp, and considerable power over the whole apparatus. By simply
giving lateral action to the joints b, c, d, and b³, c', d', the levers d, a,
and a', a', may be made to give lateral movement to the giant's wrist,
but which however is seldom required. Over the skeleton of the hand
thus constructed is slightly strained an india-rubber glove, the backs of
the fingers being a little more strained than the fronts, so as naturally to
return and retain them in an extended position. This glove is attached
to the skeleton on the joints in the front of the hand and between the
joints at the back. Over it is drawn quite loosely a second india-rubber
glove properly colored and modelled to the form of the hand, and
attached to the inner glove by india-rubber cement at the points which
the modelling suggests. The space between the two skins being then
(according to this part of my improvements) inflated with air and closed
up, the exact appearance of a hand is produced, and an clastic and
tenacious cushion is interposed between the hard skeleton and any
object that may be grasped.
Proceeding to the head I erect from the collar piece from the points
p, p, p, three standards meeting above the head of the performer at
the height desired, and supporting a cup-and-ball joint n, on which
turns freely the skeleton and framework of the giant's head, of which the
rod n, j, q, t, u, forms the central support. From the point q (the
position of which must be chosen in accordance with the proportionate
motion which it is desired to give to the head, and to which the pro-
portions of the other adjustments must be carefully adapted,) the curved
bar q, q', descends to the performer's head, to which it is firmly fitted
by means of the skull cap r, r, made of metal plate, leather, or other
stiff material. The joints q and q' having motion only upon their pivots
the head of the giant is thereby compelled to move in accordance with
that of the performer in the desired proportion. The support of the
giant's jaw k, i,j, is hinged at j to the central support j, being placed
as near the joint n as the proper motion of the jaw will allow, to prevent
if possible the joint m from passing to the rear of the straight line
´ joining 9 and‍j, in which position the intended action of the jaw will be
5 reversed. The position of the joint m must depend upon that taken for
the joint q, it being necessary that its distance from the joint n should
bear the same proportion to that of q that the distance of the point g
from the pivot of the performer's neck bears to that of 2', otherwiso

page_text: the jaw of the giant will be more or less affected by the motions of the
man's head. The position of the point i will determine the propor-
tionate motion of the jaw, and the rod m, i, is then connected with the
chin piece f (as shewn at Figure 7) by the stiff wires m, g, jointed at 9.
The chin piccefis fixed firmly to the chin of the operator by putting
the prongs fa, fa, into the mouth, so that their ends fitted with ivory
sockets set upon the operator's teeth with interfering with his speech, and
the chin plate fb, being placed under the chin is pushed close by hand,
and the spring catch fo being released by the thumb in withdrawing
the hand to act on the rack at fd, which holds the piece firmly in its
place. By this arrangement the slightest motion of the man's jaw will
be transferred to that of the figure in any desired proportions. s, 8², 8³, 8³,
is a speaking trumpet with a flexible tube between s¹ and s³ and fixed to
the skull cap at s² and supported by the bar 12, n³, by which the voice
of the operator is made to sound as coming from the mouth of the
figure. The supports u, v, sustain the eyes in their proper positions.
The discs may be made of any light and firm material, or of very thin
metal painted and glazed and moving in a socket b, b', b³, &, (as shown
at Figure 8) upon an universal joint. The connection between the points
a and b and a³ and 62 are made by tapes sufficiently long to permit the
opposite points to close, after which any further motion of the eye will
be communicated to the socket, which may be fitted into an elastic
cyclid of colored india-rubber to give a natural external motion.
Between the socket and the eyelid may be placed iron wires c, c', running
round the opening of the eye (as shewn at Figure 9) and jointed near
the corners of the eye, with an action similar to a pair of scissors, by
which the eyelids may be closed, the action being taken partly from the
eyebrow of the operator if desirablo, or from any other more convenient
force. In order to give natural motion to the eye without requiring
attention on the part of the operator I avail myself of the double action
of the shoulder joints, which by the construction previously described
is so arranged that when the arm is lifted to the front the ball-and-
socket joint alono acts, but both joints act when the cleration of the
arm is lateral.
Therefore from the end of the lever wo I carry a cord to
the shoulder (taking care to pass this and all other connecting cords 3
from the head through, an eyelet or pulley close to the joint n), where it
is passed over the pulleys Q, a, and 6 (as shewn at Figure 8) and between
c and d to the end of the lever at e. Then when the arm is raised to
the front, the semicircle acting in the slot f will raise the lever f, e,
I

page_text: '
giving motion vertically through the cord to the eye. From the
position of the pulleys c and d the cord will be shortest when the
point a comes into a straight line, passing between them from the
pulley b. At that moment when the giant's hand is slightly extended
forwards the eyes dropping by their own weight will be depressed. A
continuance of the motion of the hand upwards will raise them pro-
portionately, and a return of the arm to the slide will bring the eyes.
straight to the front. To move the eyes horizontally I carry a cord
from wo (as shewn at Figure 9) and over u' to the corresponding shoulder
joint where passing over the pulleys h. and i it is fixed to k. When
the arm is lifted laterally k goes back to k', drawing the eye by means
of the cord in the direction of the hand. By coupling the eyes together
and placing elastic on the cords the motions of the eyes are easily
harmonised, reduced to half the draft of k upon i, their return to the
front secured; and all danger of breaking the cords prevented. By the
combination of these two movements a natural movement of the eyc
towards the hands when in motion is readily secured without exagge-
ration. Movements may likewise be communicated to the ears of the
figure from the shoulders of the operator at by a cord passing there-
from round the pulleys at S' and ät Z, a, and Z, b, (as shown at
Figure) 10 to the lever Z', the return of the ear being secured by a
spring. All the movements thus described may be modified or trans-
ferred to other parts of the head and face, such as the nostrils or
lips, as may be desired, and exaggerated and rendered grotesque by
simple means, with or without the will of the performer.
0
In attaching the outer figure to the skeleton, the requisite joints
are provided according to the movements to be represented, and I
construct this outer figure as previously described, provision being made
at convenient points for the performer to see through copper gauze,
colored tarlatan, or other means in the usual way. Where a double
skin of india-rubber with air injected between such double skin is
desirable, the method described in the construction of the hand, in
accordance with this part of my Invention, may be pursued, it. being
easy to represent moulded muscle by drawing the depressions in india-
rubber cement on the inner tight skin, and attaching the outer loose
skin thereby. Requisite care must be taken in making the basketwork
frame to allow of proper freedom in the joints. The attachments to the
skeleton I make as few and slight as possible, except in the head,
hands, and feet, and with same exceptions clastic.
.

page_text: In the construction of an animal or monster (as shown by the
example at Figure 3) the only variations from the foregoing methods
which requiro precise description relate to the mode of altering the
ordinary action of a man's leg into that of an animal, and providing
for his support in the body of the figure at any required height from 5
the ground. For these purposes I construct a strong horizontal frame
A, B, B', A', to which I suspend a sling of canvas or webbing to support
the operator's body casily. Above this a padded bar is placed so
as to sit upon the small of his back at Q. This frame is supported by the
skeleton legs of the animal formed and jointed in the required propor-
tions (as shewn by the example Figure 3 of the Drawings), the strong
rods B, G, E, and B', G¹, E¹, being constructed of just sufficient length
to enable the operator by straightening his leg to jamb or force down
the angle formed by the rods B, E, and E, F, and B', E', and E', F',
into the proper position for locomotion. In this position the whole 1
lumbar power of the performer's legs and loins can be brought to bear
at the leverage necessary to support and even to raise from the ground
his weight (assumed in the example given to be at the points Z and Z'.
By means of the parallel action G, H, E, F, the form of the entire
leg is absolutely controlled by the angle G, E, Z, so governed by the 2
operator's leg. Under this disposition the leg cannot collapse without
the consent of the performer, but must fall forward or backward,
retaining its form according as his centre of gravity is before or behind
the support of the animal's feet I, I'. By connecting the hind with the
foro legs diagonally by the strong and stiff rods extending from S and 2
S to T and T, and from Q and Q' to R' and R, one centre of gravity
is given to the entire figure, and placed between the points of support,
whereby the falling direction of the hind and fore legs are brought into
opposition precisely as in nature, and the required stability is similarly
obtained. By this method all four legs being moved by the legs of the 3
operator his hands are left at liberty for other purposes. Thus by the
crossed wheels U, U', moved by the lever V, fitted with grooves and
cords, are revolving on a globe joint u, with a considerable reciprocating
action on the axis of the wheels, one of his hands may communicate
lateral and elevating movements to either head or tail, or both, and with 3
considerable force, in the manner indicated by the pulleys Y, Y¹, Y², Y³,
Y, Y, acting on the joints D, r, v², v², v³, v³, and the fastening y. With
the other hand similar motions 'may be conveyed to other parts, as for
example, to a pair of wings which may be raised and depressed directly

page_text: by a straight action of the hand and arm upon the levers of each wing
projecting inwards from the fulcrums on which they are made to act,
provision being made for their circular action by any suitable mechanical
arrangements.
Any of the methods of conveying motion previously described may
also be applied to corresponding parts of the head or feet of the monster
if desired; and if the required dimensions are sufficiently small and
it be otherwise desirable the coupling of the legs above described may
be dispensed with, and the action of the fore legs taken from the
operator's arms, the resistance necessary for stability being then thrown
upon his body and muscles, but locomotion in an erect or semi-crect
posture being rendered more practicable. So likewise in figures of still
smaller size the performer's knee may be brought into the angle G, E, Z,
and his foot fixed against the opposite joint H, F, cither retaining or
dispensing with one of the parallels as preferred or required by the
lumbar strength necessary according to the construction of the figure.
By the above-described method, or the necessary modifications of
them I am able to construct with efficiency of theatrical effect, and for
all purposes of representation analogous thereto, any of the following
descriptions of figures, giving to cach perfect locomotion and all ordinary,
natural, and many grotesque motions of limbs and other external organs
according to fancy or requirement. Thus human figures of giants male
or female may be made in accordance with my Invention correctly
proportioned throughout from 9 to 12 feet high, or they may be of
grotesque forms and proportions from 10 to 17 feet high, or even more.
Or grotesque gnomes or giant dwarfs may he made having large heads
and small bodies and limbs, or with large heads and arms but with small
bodies and legs, or with particular limbs and features deformed and
enlarged, or with small heads and enlarged bodies and limbs.
I
Figures of various kinds of natural animals may also be made in
accordance with my Invention in a manner similar to that previously
described and of the natural size, providing such figure is large enough
to admit a strong boy inside. Thus figures of dogs, monkeys, large
birds, fishes,, elephants, camels, lions, horses, and numerous other
animals correctly modelled may have motion imparted thereto for stage
or representative purposes, or such figures, including cats, reptiles, or
others, may be of gigantic size or enlarged for such purposes when
required.

page_text: Figures of monsters may also be made and actuated according to
legend or fancy, such as dragons, griffins, centaurs, satyrs, hybrids, two
or three headed or many limbed monsters, within reasonable limits,
marine monsters and ghosts or apparitions where mere optical effects
are unsuitable.
The same principle of construction according to my Invention may
also be applied with proper modifications in the mode of appliance to
the actuation of diminutive figures and marionettes, by which their
motion may be made more life like and harmonious than at present.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
of performing or carrying the same into practice, I would have it under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the exact details herein-beforc
described, either as to the methods of constructing or actuating colossal
and other figures of men, monsters, or animals for stage or other repre-
sentative purposes, as the same may be greatly varied and still retain the
substantial features or character of my Invention; but what I claim is,
the improved construction and methods of giving locomotion to and
actuating the various parts of colossal and other figures of men, monsters,
and animals for stage or other representative purposes, substantially in
the manner herein-before described and shown in the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Weymouth Birkbeck Thelwall, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
two
W. B. THELWALL. (L.S.)
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE,
Patent Agent,
34, Southampton Buildings, W.C.