Life-size human-like automatons have existed in literature since the early 1800s. The term “robot” was first used in 1921 by Czech playwright Karl Capek, in his dystopian play, “Rossum’s Universal Robots.” Although lifelike robots are still a dream, we are nearing their appearance. However, the lifelike Silver Swan automaton made its first appearance in 1774.
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The clockwork Silver Swan automaton was initially a commission piece, but they changed their minds. London jeweler James Cox created this magnificent piece. The internal mechanism that controls the intricate movements of the swan’s neck was the work of John Joseph Merlin.
When the commission fell through, James Cox kept the automaton in his curiosities museum, Spring Garden. In the 19th century, the Silver Swan automaton was on display at the Paris International Exhibition by jeweler Harry Emanuel. In his book, The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain described the Silver Swan:
“I watched the Silver Swan, which had a living grace about his movement and a living intelligence in his eyes – watched him swimming about as comfortably and unconcernedly as it he had been born in a morass instead of a jeweller’s shop – watched him seize a silver fish from under the water and hold up his head and go through the customary and elaborate motions of swallowing it…“
Joséphine and John Bowes fell in love with the beautiful Silver Swan automaton. They purchased it in 1872, making it a static display in the Bowes Museum, which opened in 1892. The clockwork swan has been renovated several times to keep it in working condition.
The latest restoration project was in 2023 and 2024. The museum’s conservation specialists, horological experts, members of the Cumbria Clock Company, and a host of clockmaking interns spent over 1,500 hours restoring her. You can watch more cleaning and restoration details on YouTube.
Every day at the Bowes Museum, a curator winds the mechanism at 2 PM for a performance. On bank and school holidays, there is an extra performance at 11:45 AM.
The graceful movements of the 18th-century robot always amaze museum visitors. The display is a favorite for generations of visitors.
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