Hunkin's Experiments

December 22, 2003 1:46 PM

Hunkin's Experiments. 'Cool cartoons that will have you experimenting with food, light, sound, clothes, and a whole lot more! Hundreds of cartoon experiments from cartoonist, broadcaster and engineer Tim Hunkin.'
These 'rudiments of wisdom' first appeared in the Observer newspaper in the 1970s and 1980s.
posted by plep (8 comments total)

These cartoons about how to do clever things with materials, such as tarnished silver, are potentially useful.

I remember seeing many of these cartoons as a kid, so finding them again is a bit of a treat.
posted by plep at 1:51 PM on December 22, 2003

Wow, great link, plep!

I was a big fan of Hunkin's The Secret Life of Machines (which aired way back when on TLC). I'd searched for sites showing his work a long time ago, but to no avail. Good to see that it's finally accessible on the web.

Hmm...he also has his own site. This just gets better and better!
posted by filmgoerjuan at 2:25 PM on December 22, 2003

Tim Hunkin is an absolute genius. I used to have a huge green book with hundreds of these cartoons collected together, but haven't seen it for years, so it's great to be able to revisit them.

Even better than these, though, are the weird and wonderful devices he builds. He lives - or at least used to - somewhat near me, near Southwold on the south-east coast of England. Southwold is a moderately tacky seaside town in the wholesome, traditional sense, and over the last decade or so they've reconstructed the pier and installed a number of Hunkin's bizarre coin-operated contraptions on it. They almost make the place worth a visit - the water clock he built just defies description.

Thanks plep!
posted by zygoticmynci at 3:25 PM on December 22, 2003

I too was a childhood fan ... these bring back great memories!
posted by carter at 3:42 PM on December 22, 2003

Excellent link. I loved The Secret Life of Machines, too. I wish it would be re-broadcast.
posted by theora55 at 3:59 PM on December 22, 2003

If we all write to The Learning Channel, maybe we could get the show re-broadcast. I would really like to see it again.
posted by theora55 at 4:08 PM on December 22, 2003

This man is brilliant and fascinating. I love this page, plep, thanks. His other page - which includes the links zygoticmynci referenced - is a treasure trove too.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:52 PM on December 22, 2003

You mean the other page that I linked to in my comment, mjj? ;)
posted by filmgoerjuan at 10:08 PM on December 22, 2003