Steam Hansom

A couple of years ago I was leafing through a book of illustrations by the renowned British cartoonist and sculptor, Rowland Emett (1906-1990) when I found a doodle of what seemed to be a steam-driven Hansom Cab; one of those normally horse-drawn carriages that acted like taxis in Victorian London. I loved the look of it so much that I decided to make something very much like it.
I've always loved the eccentricity of machines and gadgets that go to long way around to perform a simple task - I've even helped to design and build a few. Artists like Rube Goldberg and W Heath Robinson made a career out of designing them, as did Emett. He even got to design a full-sized railway - called The Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Branch Railway - for the 1951 Festival of Britain (You can watch a UA-cam video about it here: • The Far Tottering and ... ).
Emett once said of his machines, 'They are the direct opposite, I suppose, of the average idea of the implacable, soulless machine, driving relentlessly on, or these frightening electronic proliferations, ready at the drop of a silicone chip to take us all over … My Machines are friendly, they are happy, they crave love, and I really think they get it.'
I get it too Rowland. I hope you'd approve of my homage.
As always, there's more content on my blog including a profile of Rowland Emett here: colganology2.b...
And you can find me on Facebook and Instagram as @stevyncolgan

[@AitkrapooYT]

I think the little man you sculpted was lovely personally

[@TakaD20]

Second

[@Colganology]

Thank you - too kind!

[@Colganology]

@@TakaD20 Too kind

[@sparkiiez]

i agree wholeheartedly

[@saron95662]

Same

[@rorygal2991]

I was lucky enough to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang every year as a kid, so now I need to find a Rowland Emett book of my own! The hansom ended up looking wonderful!!

[@MrAdamjb]

I watch your yiutube when i go sleep

[@MisterTingles]

nothing like a bit of posterior serendipity

[@westcoastwobble6718]

Wow, you're videos are so well done!!! Keep it up!

[@gypsypunk333]

The zeroes were a perfect touch

[@StarryArrii]

looks absolutely awesome!!

[@JeffrGeffr]

the driver sculpture was beautifully done, where did you learn?

[@MarinadeJoslin]

😃👏🤗❤

[@ThisHandleIsDefinatelyTaken]

cool

[@Jan_Asa12]

Whats the background song called?

[@Colganology]

It's called 'Screw on the Loose' by Tony Lowry. It's a KPM library tune that's been used on a lot of shows including Ren and Stimpy and Spongebob Squarepants. :) ua-cam.com/video/OemXaMaOEqo/v-deo.html

[@Jan_Asa12]

@@Colganology thank you

[@markdale4620]

'ansom