Was at this place a couple of weeks back with some mates I used to work with in a software engineering team - we'd reconvnend for a few drinks and something cultural after 5 or so years of not seeing each, so had people from all over Europe flying in.
I've been before, and it's good to see some old favourites (Micro-break! Alien Probe!), stick around while they rotate through new machines with new ideas.
I recommend a good hour or two in there at some point, and just dive into the whimsy of it all. It is a very British sense of humour, one that is quite soulful for me as a Brit, but I think there are few people who wouldn't find something to enjoy in there.
Tim is such a lovely bloke. Had a chat with him about a decade ago at this point at an evening event at novelty automation about his time working with Rex Garrod on the secret life of machines, which is well worth a watch, even if it is from the 80s. His YouTube channel is also well worth a look.
I once went to an art exhibition in Ipswich[1] where Tim took everyone’s photograph with a giant pinhole instant camera he’d made from an old road-sign.
1. Tim is from Suffolk and also runs a sister amusements at the Under The Pier Show in Southwold[2]
I believe the machines are circulated between the two venues.
I visited Novelty Automation in London a couple of months ago - it is everything you could wish for and more. Get there when it opens as it is a small space and does fill up quickly.
It's right behind our office in Holborn. I walk past it often but somehow haven't quite built up the bravery to walk in. Despite having seen most of Tim's work on YouTube...
I grew up in London visiting Cabaret Mechanical Theater in Covent Garden as often as my parents would take me. I was heart broken when it closed in ~2000. Novelty Automation is mainly just Tim's work (the chiropodist dates back to CMT) but it turns out the larger organization still exists and has occasional touring exhibits... and I just found out a new permanent exhibit in Hastings! https://cabaret.co.uk/
Was at this place a couple of weeks back with some mates I used to work with in a software engineering team - we'd reconvnend for a few drinks and something cultural after 5 or so years of not seeing each, so had people from all over Europe flying in.
I've been before, and it's good to see some old favourites (Micro-break! Alien Probe!), stick around while they rotate through new machines with new ideas.
I recommend a good hour or two in there at some point, and just dive into the whimsy of it all. It is a very British sense of humour, one that is quite soulful for me as a Brit, but I think there are few people who wouldn't find something to enjoy in there.
Tim is such a lovely bloke. Had a chat with him about a decade ago at this point at an evening event at novelty automation about his time working with Rex Garrod on the secret life of machines, which is well worth a watch, even if it is from the 80s. His YouTube channel is also well worth a look.
The Secret Life of Machines: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtaR0lZhSyAPLuoSbMA29...
And his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@timhunkin1
Tim's site: https://www.timhunkin.com/
His recent "Secret Life of Components" series covers lots of fascinating electromechanical tinkering, including many of the mechanisms in the Novelty Automation arcade machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAgXz6xO0s&list=PLtaR0lZhSy...
Another series by Tim:
http://www.solenoid-valve-info.com/solenoid-valve-videos.htm...
This is one of my favorite hidden secrets of London - I've encouraged so many friends to visit and they've universally loved it.
I once went to an art exhibition in Ipswich[1] where Tim took everyone’s photograph with a giant pinhole instant camera he’d made from an old road-sign.
1. Tim is from Suffolk and also runs a sister amusements at the Under The Pier Show in Southwold[2]
I believe the machines are circulated between the two venues.
2. https://www.underthepier.com/
I visited Novelty Automation in London a couple of months ago - it is everything you could wish for and more. Get there when it opens as it is a small space and does fill up quickly.
It's right behind our office in Holborn. I walk past it often but somehow haven't quite built up the bravery to walk in. Despite having seen most of Tim's work on YouTube...
It's such a delight. Take a group from work, it's even better with company!
Once known as Cabaret Mechanical. So glad to see it back.
I grew up in London visiting Cabaret Mechanical Theater in Covent Garden as often as my parents would take me. I was heart broken when it closed in ~2000. Novelty Automation is mainly just Tim's work (the chiropodist dates back to CMT) but it turns out the larger organization still exists and has occasional touring exhibits... and I just found out a new permanent exhibit in Hastings! https://cabaret.co.uk/
I love this place! Well worth a visit if you're visiting London and are around the British Museum area.