16 Questions
What was remarkable about Jacques Vaucanson's mechanical duck?
It could move its wings, stand up and sit down
Why did people flock to see Vaucanson's duck in Paris?
They thought it might reflect how life worked
How did Vaucanson describe the methods used by the duck for eating, digesting, and defecating?
Copied from Nature
What charge did Vaucanson apply to see the mechanical duck?
An admission fee equal to a week's wages
What did people think about the possibility of producing an artificial creature like Vaucanson's duck?
They thought it might one day be possible to produce an artificial creature
What was the subject of widespread interest in Vaucanson's time?
'Artificial life' and the possibility of creating artificial creatures
What is the focus of Riskin's current project?
Investigating the relationship between machines and life
According to Riskin, why does she study history?
To determine how the world evolved to its present state
Where does Riskin currently live with her husband?
Oakland, Calif.
What is Riskin's academic background?
Received a bachelor's degree from Harvard University
Where did Riskin spend her academic career alternating between?
Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley
What is the title of Riskin's current project?
'The Defecating Duck, or, the Very Early History of Artificial Life and Intelligence'
What materials were used by 18th-century automata makers?
Papier-mâché and wood
What is the focus of Riskin's research on automata?
'Illusion of life and organic materials used'
Where did Riskin work before joining Stanford's History Department?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
What does Riskin believe about new technologies?
'They provide extraordinary opportunities to build artificial life'
Delve into the 18th-century quest for 'artificial life' and the creation of strikingly lifelike mechanical wonders. Learn about Jacques Vaucanson's mechanical duck, its lifelike movements, and the fascination it sparked among the public in Paris.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
