William Heath Robinson (31 May 1872 – 13 September 1944) was an English cartoonist and illustrator, best known for drawings of eccentric machines.
In the UK, the term Heath Robinson has entered the language as a description of any unnecessarily complex and implausible contraption, similar to "Rube Goldberg" in the U.S. Heath Robinson is perhaps more often used in relation to temporary fixes using ingenuity and whatever is to hand, often string and tape, or unlikely cannibalisations. Its popularity is undoubtedly linked to Second World War Britain's shortages and the need to "make do and mend".
Why am I telling you all this? Well tomorrow's Thankful Thursday post will explain about the book which gave me the idea for this post but when I saw the illustrations by W Heath Robinson I suddenly wondered about the origins of the saying.
And now I know. And so do you (if you didn't already).
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Wonderful, wonderful illustration! Thank you for reminding me about heath Robinson. I seem to remember I have a book with brilliant end papers by him, somewhere.
ReplyDeleteJenny, having spent a glorious time wandering through the internet whilst researching the post I am in awe and full of admiration of his work.
DeleteI always learn so much from you GB. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. Now I know too!!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be checking him out, since I love the illustration as well.
What a lovely thing to say Virginia, Thank you.
DeleteWow, great illustration. There's a lot going on in there!
ReplyDeleteSo maybe I should start calling Hubby Heath Robinson, since he is the king of duct tape!
If someone started calling me that, Lisa, I'd feel well complimented.
DeleteAh, they don't do cartoons like that anymore. Pity.
ReplyDeleteNo, Katherine, they don't. When you look at some of them they were really sophisticated. Now simplicity, speed and cost are the order of the day for anything that has to be printed (or indeed reproduced in any way).
DeleteI don't think I ever heard the name before. Hopefully if I ever come across it in reference to a contraption, I'll now know what it stands for. The image kind of makes one hold one's breath and inwardly gasp "oh no, but...", doesn't it... ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, Monica, that picture was really one holding breath moment. It's rather of the essence of Heath Robinson.
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