Caterpillar Automaton, c. 1820


(Video Link)

Henri Maillardet (b. 1745) was a master maker of automata. This caterpillar, which is less than three inches long and is covered with diamonds, pearls, emeralds and enamel, remains fully functional. Watch it inch across the surface of the glass just like a real caterpillar. It's an amazing piece of miniature mechanical craftsmanship.

Link -via Richard Kadrey


Comments (1)

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If I ever produced a video this funny, you can guarantee that I would promote my own website on it.

But even though my own children mispronounced words in the same funny way, I wouldn't put them on the internet doing it. They grow up too fast.

This is from an established mommyblogger with a good-sized following. I entertained the idea that this story is probably embellished and/or exaggerated, but probably has a grain of truth. And even if it is totally fake, I wouldn't care much, because it's still funny.

Anyway, she posted a followup in which she invites parents to share the odd names their kids give to toys, and has over 100 comments.

http://www.rantsfrommommyland.com/2012/02/as-usual-just-when-i-think-im-sort-of.html
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Counter example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FtvhvIJ4Z4

Equally "offensive" but a lot harder to argue that it's fake. And not a hint of an agenda.
The "video" from this post is just pictures with a funny caption and then saying they were made up by a child. And promoting a website.
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- It is promotion for a website (as was the first comment here curiously).

- "Designed" to cause a stir, go viral (or hope to), get attention.

- Video is trivially easy to make (but offers no proof whatsoever that it is real).

- Kids don't do that kind of thing, not to that extent.

- Unverifiable.

The whole thing just rubs me the wrong way, what can I say.
(But you're right that I just think this is fake, I am not 100% certain.)
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