Novelty Automation

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.

2. https://www.underthepier.com/

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 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.

Once known as Cabaret Mechanical. So glad to see it back.

I love this place! Well worth a visit if you're visiting London and are around the British Museum area.