Secrets of Automata: Ingenious Designs for Mechanical Life

Michael Start is a trained horologist who specialises in automata and mechanical singing bird restoration. Michael also runs The House of Automata in Forres, Scotland, a workshop, showroom and exhibition featuring a large number of rare automata. Once dubbed a ’clockwork guru’ by the newspapers, he gives talks on and demonstrations of automata, provides consultancy and hire services to film and media, including Scorsese’s Hugo and Hammer Films’ The Woman in Black. He has also advised on and supplied automata to many major museums and collections around the world. Alongside his wife Maria, they feature their automata restoration skills on Quest TV in the series Salvage Hunters - The Restorers. The House of Automata has a significant social media presence promoting good restoration practice with knowledge and enjoyment of all things automata-related.