One of my favorite books, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Scholastic Press, 2007; ISBN: 978-0439813785) has as a central plot element the rediscovery of a mechanical man, an automaton. In this era of CGI special effects and Pixar-style animation, the technology and sophistication of these creations is rare and astounding.
L'Androïde de Marie-Antoinette
[from the YouTube description: "Follow the exhibition's curators in search of the most important, mysterious and unexpected works presented in Versailles in the exhibition "Sciences and Curiosities at the Court of Versailles".
26 October 2010 -- 27 February 2011."
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Henri Maillardet's Automaton at The Franklin Institute Science Museum
[from the YouTube description: "Stored in the brass memory of The Franklin Institute's automaton built by Henri Maillardet in 1810 are four drawings and three poems. In this video, the automaton reproduces a poem."
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Excerpt from Princely Toys, a classic automaton film from 1976.
