THE MECHANICAL LEOTARD.
Though the mechanical Leotard, or automaton trapeze performer, is
apparently a purely modern invention, the principles by which it is
actuated were revealed in Decremp's "White Magic Unveiled" a century
ago, and described at length in "Hanky Panky."
 The figure is detached from all communication with other things,
except by its hands grasping a bar. This, in turn, is suspended by two
cords, which are
lastened to a bar in the ceiling of the room, when the figure is of
large size, or to a bar in the top of a box, when the automaton is on a
small scale. The arms and legs of the figure turn on a ball-and-socket
joint at each junction with the trunk, which is really a strong but
light shell, covered with wax, moulded to resemble a man, where not
clothed. The hands are fixed immovably to the bar, which, therefore,
must carry them round with it in its revolutions, and consequently
impart a motion to the arms and the body. The bar is made to turn by
its ends terminating in cogwheels, which are acted on by a second
cogwheel set at right angles at the extremity of each shaft, concealed
in the cord. The upper parts of the rods enter a horizontal shaft,
which "rocks," or turns itself but the portion of an entire revolution,
and then reverses its actions. The movement is imparted by clockwork,
or by steam when the figure is life-size or three-quarters life-size.
For more minute particulars, refer to the "Automaton Performer on the Horizontal Bar," in "Hanky Panky."
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