There was a particular treat at the recent Electromagnetic Field event in the UK, as [Tim Hunkin] delivered a talk on the history of arcade machines. Given that he’s something of an engineering hero for his many years of delighting us with machines, it’s definitely worth a watch.
He has a special interest in arcade machines given that he runs a pair of arcades featuring his own creations. Part of the history tour explains the influence some machines have had on his creations, from the early automata he starts with, through to the Pachinko machine that graces Novelty Automation in London. We’re introduced to Victorian saucy film viewers, one-armed bandits, and pinball machines, and along the way the secret of that most British of machines, the penny falls, is revealed. We particularly like the rare electromechanical Pepper’s Ghost style video game cabinets he describes.
A few years ago now we took a trip to Novelty Automation, and wrote a profile for its creator. If you’re ever in London or Southwold, we suggest you do too. The video from EMF is below the break.
I fondly remember his two machines in Neal’s Yard – especially the shrieks as someone was soaked with a waterjet.
One of my all time favorite series -> https://www.secretlifeofmachines.com/
+1
Tim Hunkin is a national treasure
I loved his Rudiments of Wisdom book back in the early eighties
Tim Hunkin is a global treasure
I remember a very early arcade in Eastwood Mall not far from Birmingham (Aladdin’s Castle) in the 1970’s….there was a very early Star Trek game…it featured single nacelle designs…but I also remember blueprint stills that were enlarged.
Years before SEGA or anything.
I think it was this…but I remember differences
https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/star-trek–for-play
https://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/07/for-play-manufacturing.html?m=1
Tim Hunkin has been making new videos, centered around components and how he has used them, and all are worthy of a watch! https://www.youtube.com/@timhunkin1/videos
Liked the talk. Tim Hunkin’s “The Secret Life of Components” is excellent as well, spilling the beans on his lifetime of building his one-of, exposed to the public, machines, so good.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtaR0lZhSyANYB0Xxb9OSp47pHuQmj3Ol
I flew across the pond to visit Bletchley, and to hit Mr. Hunkin’s London arccade. Not only was the gentleman there fixing one of them, he even talked to me for a few minutes. I loved his shows. And you know what? Sometimes when you meet your hero… He really is one!!!
I had a friend who wrote a post to news (nntp) back in the 90’s looking for some really obscure paper by Dennis Ritchie, and minutes later gets a PostScript file of the paper. The poster was Dennis Ritchie. It is easy to forget that your heroes might be hanging out in the places that you do.
Just wanted to add yet more appreciation of Tim Hunkin – national treasure and archetype of “chap tinkering in shed” in the best possible way.