Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was remarkable about Jacques Vaucanson's mechanical duck?
What was remarkable about Jacques Vaucanson's mechanical duck?
- It could move its wings, stand up and sit down (correct)
- It could sing and dance
- It could speak multiple languages
- It could produce electricity
Why did people flock to see Vaucanson's duck in Paris?
Why did people flock to see Vaucanson's duck in Paris?
- They thought it could predict the weather
- They believed it was a real living duck
- They thought it might reflect how life worked (correct)
- They wanted to see a stunning achievement of clockwork
How did Vaucanson describe the methods used by the duck for eating, digesting, and defecating?
How did Vaucanson describe the methods used by the duck for eating, digesting, and defecating?
- Copied from ancient texts
- Copied from his own imagination
- Copied from other mechanical devices
- Copied from Nature (correct)
What charge did Vaucanson apply to see the mechanical duck?
What charge did Vaucanson apply to see the mechanical duck?
What did people think about the possibility of producing an artificial creature like Vaucanson's duck?
What did people think about the possibility of producing an artificial creature like Vaucanson's duck?
What was the subject of widespread interest in Vaucanson's time?
What was the subject of widespread interest in Vaucanson's time?
What is the focus of Riskin's current project?
What is the focus of Riskin's current project?
According to Riskin, why does she study history?
According to Riskin, why does she study history?
Where does Riskin currently live with her husband?
Where does Riskin currently live with her husband?
What is Riskin's academic background?
What is Riskin's academic background?
Where did Riskin spend her academic career alternating between?
Where did Riskin spend her academic career alternating between?
What is the title of Riskin's current project?
What is the title of Riskin's current project?
What materials were used by 18th-century automata makers?
What materials were used by 18th-century automata makers?
What is the focus of Riskin's research on automata?
What is the focus of Riskin's research on automata?
Where did Riskin work before joining Stanford's History Department?
Where did Riskin work before joining Stanford's History Department?
What does Riskin believe about new technologies?
What does Riskin believe about new technologies?
