Laura Gascoigne

The wonders of 18th-century automata

The inventions of John Joseph Merlin, currently showing at the Bowes Museum, include his 'Gouty Chair' and a clockwork-driven spit anticipating the doner kebab

John Joseph Merlin demonstrated many of his own inventions himself, for example, scooting around the Pantheon in his ‘Gouty Chair. Credit: © Florilegus / Bridgeman Images 
issue 29 July 2023

  • The Magic of the Silver Swan

    Bowes Museum, until 7 January 2024

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