Novelty Automation(www.novelty-automation.com)
54 pointsby gregsadetsky16 hours ago8 comments
  • PaulRobinson6 hours ago
    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.

  • FuckButtons15 hours ago
    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.
  • simonw4 hours ago
    This is one of my favorite hidden secrets of London - I've encouraged so many friends to visit and they've universally loved it.
  • Lio10 hours ago
    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/

  • AndrewStephens13 hours ago
    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.
  • VBprogrammer9 hours ago
    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...
    • simonw4 hours ago
      It's such a delight. Take a group from work, it's even better with company!
      • VBprogrammer2 hours ago
        I'll do that! Although I have to say you've made me chuckle. I can totally imagine some pithy arcade game poking fun at how our industry is quickly moving from writing code to middle management of a group of AI agents.
  • tomcam9 hours ago
    Once known as Cabaret Mechanical. So glad to see it back.
    • simonw4 hours ago
      I grew up in London visiting Cabaret Mechanical Theater in Covent Garden as often as my parents would take me. I was heart broken when it closed in ~2000. Novelty Automation is mainly just Tim's work (the chiropodist dates back to CMT) but it turns out the larger organization still exists and has occasional touring exhibits... and I just found out a new permanent exhibit in Hastings! https://cabaret.co.uk/
  • smashah14 hours ago
    I love this place! Well worth a visit if you're visiting London and are around the British Museum area.