Published on December 31, 2017
A beautiful carved and painted rocking toy from Germany. However the wooden toy has a secret in the base – perpetual motion!
The toy – either a horse and rider or a clown – balances by means of a wooden counterweight, attached by a curved wire. In the bottom of the wooden counterweight is a small magnet. As the toy rocks too and fro, the ‘motor’ in the base gives the magnet a little ‘kick’ which keeps the toy rocking.
The motor is silent and has no moving parts. It is powered by a single AA battery (included). One battery should last for several weeks. OK, not quite perpetual motion!
