Jacques De Vaucanson French mechanic and inventor Date of Birth: . Country: France

1. Jacques de Vaucanson
2. Mechanical Toymaker
3. Parisian Exhibition

Jacques de Vaucanson

Jacques de Vaucanson was a French mechanic and inventor. Born in 1709 as the tenth son of a poor glove-maker, he attended Jesuit and Minim schools.

Mechanical Toymaker

In 1727, Vaucanson established a workshop in Lyon, where he began designing mechanical toys, including human-like figures. His most famous creations included copper ducks that could flap their wings, peck at food, and defecate. He also made a life-sized flute player, powered by springs and bellows, that could play music by moving its lips and fingers.

Parisian Exhibition

In 1738, Vaucanson exhibited the flute-playing figure in Paris. He published a pamphlet, "Le m?canisme du fluteur automate," explaining its intricate mechanism. This exhibition showcased Vaucanson's remarkable talent and propelled him to fame.