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Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society

Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society

Kircher Society Essential Library of AutomataDecember 6 2007

You may have noticed that postings in our Proceedings have slowed down a bit over the last month. The Society has not dissolved. We are, however, in the midst of a few exciting changes. Please bear with us. One new feature that we will over time be adding to this site is a library of essential books on topics of Kircherian interest. The Society’s librarian, MeGo, is heading up the project. Each section of the library will be curated by a guest librarian.

Our first guest curator, Kircher Society Resident Automatist Dug North, has compiled a list of essential books on the history, art, and science of the automaton. Enjoy.

Bailly, Christian. Automata: The Golden Age, 1848-1914. 2nd ed. London: Robert Hale, 2003.

Do not mistake this large volume for a coffee table book with little substance. Christian Bailly recounts the history of seven influential French automata makers of the Victorian era, including Vichy, Roullet & Decamp, Phalibois, and Lambert. Within the hardbound 360 pages, the reader will delight in 150 color photographs and numerous black-and-white drawings

Cutaneous HornsNovember 15 2007

A remarkable video from the Telegraph:

The 35-year-old Indonesian man is apparently on his way to being cured, thanks to the help of an American doctor who recognized his condition as an uncommon manifestation of the common Human Papilloma Virus. His treatment regimen is simply a daily dose of vitamin A.

[From G Vranova]

Animal LogicOctober 30 2007

A photo series by Richard Barnes.

The Galleria CarnivoraOctober 29 2007

The Galleria Carnivora is an online museum dedicated to the fine art of carnivorous plant photography. An excellent collection. Shown above: Drosera dielsiana.

A Minor History of Giant SpheresOctober 23 2007

In the new issue of Cabinet, a time line of giant spheres:

1984: After a dispute with the Austrian government over the construction of his spherical house, Austrian artist Edwin Lipburger declares his property an independent nation and renames it the Republic of Kugelmugel. Lipburger is sentenced to jail for his refusal to pay taxes and insistence on printing his own stamps. However, a pardon from the Austrian president saves him from serving time.