Editing Automaton (section)

===Modern===
The famous magician [[Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin]] (1805–1871) was known for creating automata for his stage shows.<ref name="copperfield-2021">{{Cite book |last1=Copperfield |first1=David |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1236259508 |title=David Copperfield's history of magic |last2=Wiseman |first2=Richard |last3=Britland |first3=David |date=2021 |isbn=978-1-9821-1291-2 |location=New York, NY |oclc=1236259508 |author-link=David Copperfield (illusionist) |author-link2=Richard Wiseman}}</ref><ref name="randi">{{Cite book |last=Randi |first=James |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26162991 |title=Conjuring |date=1992 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=0-312-08634-2 |location=New York |oclc=26162991|author-link=James Randi}}</ref>{{rp|33}} Automata that acted according to a set of preset instructions were popular with magicians during this time.<ref name="randi" />{{rp|33}}

[[File:Automa Manzetti 1840.JPG|thumb|150px|The flute-player by [[Innocenzo Manzetti]] (1840)]]
In 1840, Italian inventor [[Innocenzo Manzetti]] constructed a [[flute]]-playing automaton, in the shape of a man, life-size, seated on a chair. Hidden inside the chair were levers, connecting rods and [[compressed air]] tubes, which made the automaton's lips and fingers move on the flute according to a program recorded on a cylinder similar to those used in [[player piano]]s. The automaton was powered by clockwork and could perform 12 different arias. As part of the performance, it would rise from the chair, bow its head, and roll its eyes.[[Image:Alexander Pushkin automaton android by François Junod.JPG|thumb|right|[[Alexander Pushkin]] automaton (2010) by Swiss automaton maker François Junod]] 
The period between 1860 and 1910 is known as "The Golden Age of Automata". Mechanical coin-operated fortune tellers were introduced to boardwalks in Britain and America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanantiquities.com/Journal%20Articles/Fortune%20Telling%20machines.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019031915/https://www.americanantiquities.com/Journal%20Articles/Fortune%20Telling%20machines.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 19, 2020|title=Fortune Telling Machines|last=Keyser|first=Cheryl|access-date=2020-10-15|language=en}}</ref> In Paris during this period, many small family based companies of automata makers thrived. From their workshops they exported thousands of clockwork automata and mechanical singing birds around the world. Although now rare and expensive, these French automata attract collectors worldwide. The main French makers were [[Blaise Bontems|Bontems]], Lambert, Phalibois, Renou, [[Roullet & Decamps]], Theroude and Vichy.

Abstract automata theory started in mid-20th century with [[finite automata]];<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rutherfordjournal.org/article030107.html | title=The Structures of Computation and the Mathematical Structure of Nature | first=Michael S. | last=Mahoney | publisher=The Rutherford Journal | access-date=7 June 2020 }}</ref> it is applied in branches of [[formal science|formal]] and [[natural science]] including [[computer science]], [[physics]], [[biology]], as well as [[linguistics]].

Contemporary automata continue this tradition with an emphasis on art, rather than technological sophistication. Contemporary automata are represented by the works of [[Cabaret Mechanical Theatre]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Thomas Kuntz]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artomic.com/gallery/automata/automata.html|title=Artomic Automata|website=artomic.com|access-date=2008-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305195010/http://www.artomic.com/gallery/automata/automata.html|archive-date=2010-03-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Arthur Ganson]], [[Joe Jones (Fluxus musician)|Joe Jones]] and [[Le Défenseur du Temps]] by French artist [[Jacques Monestier]].

Since 1990 Dutch artist [[Theo Jansen]] has been building large automated PVC structures called ''strandbeest'' (beach animal) that can walk on wind power or compressed air. Jansen claims that he intends them to automatically evolve and develop [[artificial intelligence]], with herds roaming freely over the beach.

British sculptor [[Sam Smith (English sculptor)|Sam Smith]] (1908–1983) was a well-known maker of automata.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sam-smith.org/bio/|title=Biography, Sam Smith 1908–1983 &#124; Sam Smith|date=21 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sam-smith.org/events/|title=Events: Sam Smith|date=21 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/sam-smith/|title=H C Westermann/Sam Smith |website=Serpentine Galleries}}</ref>