Ingenious Collection

The Sketch Ideal Home No. VI. Sports Without Broad Acres by
The difficult problem of how to enjoy games and field sports when you live in a block of flats has triumphantly solved. The sixth in the series of Ideal Home designs by W. Heath Robinson

An Ideal Home No. I by William Heath Robinson
The first in the series of the Ideal Home designs by W. Heath Robinson. The illustrations from The Sketch depict ingenious space creating ideas for the spatially challenged home

Palenque Xtraterrestrial
Carving at PALENQUE, Mexico, which has been interpreted by ingenious theorists as depicting an ancient astronaut in a rocket- powered spacecraft

A Decided Catch by William Heath Robinson
The Whitebait cycle, an ingenious contraption necessitated by the exorbitant charges for hire of boats at the seaside this season

Ending in Smoke by Heath Robinson
An ingenious smoke screen spreader for preventing embarrassing situations when the bathroom lock is out of order. Hilarious invention by the inimitable Heath Robinson allowing complete discretion for

When Germany Surrenders her U-Boats by Heath Robinson, WW1
Why not use the enemy craft for peaceful sport? Ramming rabbits in the Balearic Islands. An inventive suggestion from the ingenious mind of William Heath Robinson for German U-boats following the end

Nice Beach Postcard / 1920
Ingenious machines enable bathers to go a few metres out to where the Baie des Anges is deep enough for plunging or diving

Bus Conductor
The bus conductor punches the tickets of his passengers, using the ingenious device which issues the right ticket for the individual requirements of each and all

A Lincolnshire Handicap by Heath Robinson
A race between cranes at the test ground of excavation specialists, Ruston-Bucyrus, who commissioned the ingenious Heath Robinson to draw a number of comical engineering drawings for a booklet

Edisons Vitascope
This was one of Edisons several ingenious but ultimately impracticable attempts to invent the motion picture

French Foldaway Bed
The American Combined - This ingenious item for small apartments is a foldaway bed which seems a conventional settee during the day, but at night turns into a bed !

Godwins Project
FRANCIS GODWIN An ingenious method of flying by harnessing trained birds, who would tow the intrepid aviator even so far as the Moon

African elephant (Loxodonta africana) herd with calf, silhouetted, Botswana

Hannibal crossing the Rhone, 218 BC (1882-1884). Artist: Gilbert
Hannibal crossing the Rhone, 218 BC (1882-1884). During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal led his army, including elephants, from Spain into Gaul

Don Quixote book cover
The new book cover for the new version of Don Quixote. The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, is a Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes. It was published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615

Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616). Spanish writer. Author of Don Quixote. Portrait, detail. Illustration by Jose Cebrian. Lithography. Cronica General de Espana

Uncrossing the Crosses on a Hot + Bun
A contraption for removing the cross on a hot cross bun left over from Easter. Date: 1922

Mr Goldsworthy Gurney's tractor, drawing a carriage as a kind of trailer, has the advantage that if it breaks down, horses can be harnessed to the back bit. Date: 1829

William Henry James project is just one of many ingenious devices whereby the power of steam is harnessed to road transportation. Date: 1828

Lady clerks tabulating the American Census Returns (b / w photo)
5997988 Lady clerks tabulating the American Census Returns (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

New and ingenious methods of advertising (litho)
1090732 New and ingenious methods of advertising (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: New and ingenious methods of advertising)

Swimming the channel, some simple devices to ensure success (litho)
1090721 Swimming the channel, some simple devices to ensure success (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: Swimming the channel)

An ingenious poacher (colour litho)
2807681 An ingenious poacher (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An ingenious poacher)

Ingenious ruse for administering a dose of medicine to a boisterous boy (litho)
5217776 Ingenious ruse for administering a dose of medicine to a boisterous boy (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info)

South east view of the Princes Chamber (engraving)
603218 South east view of the Princes Chamber (engraving) by Smith, John Thomas (1766-1833); Private Collection; (add.info)

PLUTO Memorial Port en Bessin Normandy
PLUTO - Pipe Line Under The Ocean was an ingenious method of supplying the Allied Forces with fuel from a main base at Southampton. The idea is said to have been that of Lord Louis Mountbatten

A cannon to protect crops from hail (colour litho)
2819201 A cannon to protect crops from hail (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A cannon to protect crops from hail. L artillerie contre la grele)

An Advertising Elephant (engraving)
3627767 An Advertising Elephant (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Advertising Elephant)

Faust and Marguerite (engraving)
3627687 Faust and Marguerite (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Faust and Marguerite. Illustration for The Picture Magazine, 1893.); © Look and Learn

"The Elephant Clock"from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical
3615926 " The Elephant Clock" from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, 1315 (ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper) by Islamic School

Modern street traders (colour litho)
2779747 Modern street traders (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Modern street traders)

Shaving mill to shave sixty customers in one minute (litho)
KDC384142 Shaving mill to shave sixty customers in one minute (litho) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Foldout illustration of a louse on a strand of hair from Micrographia
5668985 Foldout illustration of a louse on a strand of hair from Micrographia about observations through a microscope by Robert Hooke published in 1665 by Hooke

Flat life, some ingenious devices for use on chilly mornings (litho)
1090689 Flat life, some ingenious devices for use on chilly mornings (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flat life)

What shall i put on? Bedside contrivance for the changeable season, to indicate the state of the weather
1090737 What shall i put on? Bedside contrivance for the changeable season, to indicate the state of the weather and what you should wear when you get up in the morning (litho) by Robinson

Flat life, how sport is possible on a Saturday afternoon (litho)
1090699 Flat life, how sport is possible on a Saturday afternoon (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flat life)

Ancient and modern vending (penny-in-the-slot) machines, 1893 (litho)
KDC384118 Ancient and modern vending (penny-in-the-slot) machines, 1893 (litho) by Sauvert, Albert (b.1860); Private Collection; (add.info)

Using a cannon to protect a Beaujolais vineyard from hail (colour litho)
3099169 Using a cannon to protect a Beaujolais vineyard from hail (colour litho) by Meaulle, Fortune Louis (1844-1901); Private Collection; (add.info)

A new snow-plough for clearing a footpath after a heavy fall (litho)
1090731 A new snow-plough for clearing a footpath after a heavy fall (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info)

An Indian grass cutter with ingenious grass container Date: circa 1810

HOME MADE CLOTHES RACK
A home-made drying rack, made from coat hangers and light rods, an ingenious way of drying underwear etc. in the days before tumbledryers. Date: 1930s

CHILDREN AT A PUMP
Two children fetch water from a pump - note the ingenious use of a hoop Date: late 19th century

HIGH SPEED IN LOW GEAR
High speed on low gear An American motorist takes two friends for a ride - note the ingenious seat on the running board (and shes not even strapped in !) Date: 1922

EyeUbiquitous_20108275
England, London, Entrance to the 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

EyeUbiquitous_20108274
England, London, The 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The Women of Weinsberg, 21 December 1140, (1936). Creator: Unknown
The Women of Weinsberg, 21 December 1140, (1936). Die Weiber Von Weinsberg, 21 Dezember 1140. Conrad III (1093-1152), King of Germany, laid siege to the town of Weinsberg

El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha (The Ingenious Nobleman Don Quixote de la Mancha) by Miguel de Cervantes, first edition, Madrid: Ibarra, 1782

Crusoe Makes A Little Tent With A Sail, c1870. From The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe. [Cassell, Petter and Galpin, London]

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"Unleashing the power of imagination: Exploring the ingenious creations of William Heath Robinson" Step into a world where creativity knows no bounds as we delve into the whimsical and inventive mind of William Heath Robinson. From his iconic sketches in "The Sketch Ideal Home No. VI" to his imaginative take on sports in "Sports Without Broad Acres, " this visionary artist never fails to amaze. Prepare to be astounded by his fantastical contraptions, like the Palenque Xtraterrestrial or the intricate mechanisms showcased in "A Decided Catch. " With each stroke of his pen, Robinson transports us to a realm where anything is possible. But it's not just about outlandish inventions; Robinson also captures everyday life with a touch of genius. Whether it's depicting a humorous scene with a bus conductor or envisioning Germany surrendering her U-Boats during WW1, he seamlessly blends wit and innovation. Travel back in time with us as we admire vintage postcards like the charming "Nice Beach Postcard / 1920, " reminding us that even simple pleasures can be ingeniously delightful. Robinson's ingenuity extends beyond drawings too – from Edisons Vitascope to French Foldaway Beds, he explores various mediums and designs that challenge conventionality. And let's not forget Godwins Project, an embodiment of his forward-thinking ideas for urban planning and architecture. So join us on this captivating journey through time and imagination as we celebrate William Heath Robinson's legacy – an artistic genius whose works continue to inspire awe and wonder.