Jacques de Vaucanson

Jacques de Vaucanson (February 24,1709-November 21,1782) was a French engineer and inventor who is credited with creating the world's first true robots, as well as for creating the first completely automated loom.

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He was born in Grenoble, France in 1709 as Jacques Vaucanson (the particle "de" was later added to his name by the Académie des Sciences http://www.chez.com/soie/vaucans.htm). The son of a glove-maker, he grew up poor, and in his youth he reportedly aspired to become a clockmaker http://perso.wanadoo.fr/moto.histo/Ev_G/vaucanson.htm. He studied under the Jesuits and later joined the Order of the Minims in Lyon. It was his intention at the time to follow a course of religious studies, but he regained his interest in mechanical devices after meeting the surgeon Le Cat, from whom he would learn the details of anatomy. This new knowledge allowed him to develop his first mechanical devices that mimicked biological vital functions such as circulation, respiration, and digestion http://www.automates.info/bibliotheque/articles/vaucanson.htm.

February 24: February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 310 days remaining, 311 in leap years. By Roman custom February 24 is the day added to a leap year, and the occurrence of February 29 is merely a consequence of this....

1782: 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar)....

Robots: REDIRECT Robot...

Jacques de Vaucanson related Images and Photos (experimental)

Jacques De Vaucanson French Inventor Astonishes His Servant with a Mechanical Flute-Player	First Fully Automated Loom Invented by Jacques de Vaucanson circa 1745	Portrait of Jacques De Molay Master of the Knights Templar	Jacques De Molay Grand Maitre Des Templiers Arrested and Burned by Philippe Iv
Jacques de Molay and Other Leading Knights Templar are Hastily Burnt at Paris	The Inauguration of Jacques de Molay into the Order of Knights Templar in 1295	Plan of Le Havre in 1583 from Les Premiers Oeuvres de Jacques Devaulx Pillote En La Marine	Jacques Bernard de Molay
Jacques-Joseph Moreau de Tours	Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre French Writer	Jacques Victor Albert Prince de Broglie French Diplomat Writer	Jean-Jacques Embraces M De Luxembourg in a Transport of Tenderness