Vitascope Industries Limited electric automata clocks from the 1930s onward

Vitascope clocks were made invented in the Isle of Man in 1941 by J. S Thatcher, improved by Joseph Summerskill between 1944 and 1944, and manufactured from the late 1940s by Vitascope Industries Limited, based in the Isle of Man. The electrically powered clocks included automata that caused the ship to gently rock in the waves, and the backlighting changes to indicate the changing time of the day, and the sea is lit for both sunset and sunrise. According to the Isle of Man company records, Vitascope Industries Limited was dissolved in 1968.

The history of automatons, or self-operating machines, dates back to ancient times. One of the earliest known examples of an automaton is the mythical figure of Pygmalion's statue, which was said to have been brought to life by the Greek god Zeus. In the ancient world, automatons were also used as tools for entertainment, with examples such as the hydraulic singing birds of ancient Rome and the mechanical puppets of ancient China.

In the Middle Ages, automatons were used in clock towers and other public places to mark the passing of time and to entertain the public. Some more... of these automatons were quite elaborate, with moving parts and mechanical functions that were powered by water or weights.

During the Enlightenment period of the 18th century, automatons became more sophisticated and were used to demonstrate scientific principles and innovations. In the 19th and 20th centuries, advances in technology and manufacturing led to the development of more complex and sophisticated automata for the consumer market and could be found fitted to clock, watches, dolls, robots and novelty items that could perform a wide range of tasks. less...