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Animatronics

How It All Began

The history of animatronics begins with Figures have also been featured in
clock makers. Many years ago advanced movies since the 1960’s. The first was
mechanical clocks were built in Europe an animatronic bird in Mary Poppins.
which featured animated characters. Later, directors and artists such as Steven
Characters moved or were hidden/ Speilberg and Jim Henson included
displayed in time with the clock and with animatronic figures in their films. These
the sounds of the clock. So like modern characters including Jaws, E.T., and Jabba
animatronics, character movement was the Hut captured the imagination of
set to a specific time code and sound audiences.
was introduced to attract attention. Although the Enchanted Tiki Room’s
Clock makers used the characters to tell a original concept was a restaurant with
story. Many of these clocks are very large performing birds, the concept never
and were built in the town center. Some materialized. Other restaurants that did
clocks, such as the Prague Astronomical feature animatronic figures, however,
Clock still survive today. This clock was were later developed. The Chuck E Cheese
built in 1410, but animated figures were family entertainment center, featuring
added to the clock in the 1600s. Chuck and his band, was popular in the
In the 1700’s German clock makers 1980s. Also in the 1980s, Showbiz Pizza
created a more affordable form of with the Rock-afire Explosion animatronic
animatronics that were purchased for band, which was like a very modern
homes. These were cuckoo clocks. The Country Jamboree band, was very popular.
design of cuckoo clocks included at least Later, the Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex
one mechanical character, such as a bird, attracted guests, in part, with animatronic
which performed a show or popped out figures. These restaurants showed that
upon specific set times. guests enjoyed entertainment during their
The modern era of animatronics was meal, even if the actors where mechanical.
started by Walt Disney. Disney saw Today the most advanced animatronics
animatronics as a novelty that would are still at Disney Parks now located
attract visitors to his World’s Fair displays throughout the world. The Walt Disney
and later his movies and theme parks. World in Florida, with 4 amusement
He also recognized that the figures could parks and more animatronic figures
replace actors and actresses in repetitive located at Downtown Disney, has the
shows, giving audiences consistent most animatronic figures available
shows that were always on schedule. As for viewing by guests. Disney’s most
was typical with Walt Disney, he pushed advanced figures, like the Roy Rogers
the limits of technology at the time figure that can lasso a rope in EPCOT, are
in order to achieve his vision. The first more lifelike than figures created at any
animatronic figure he created was the other time. Movement and control of the
9” tall “dancing man” figure that used animatronic figures is amazing. The next
older rotating cam technology to create generation of Disney animatronics looks
the movement of the figure. It was very to be figures that are more interactive with
primitive by today’s Disney standards, the audience. Figures like Mr. Potato Head
but it got the ball rolling. Disney and his at the Toy Story Mania attraction look to
team of WED imagineers soon developed capture the imagination of the audience in
the Enchanted Tiki birds for the attraction a new way.
at Disneyland (1963) and the first (Continued on following page)
human animatronic figure in the form of
Abraham Lincoln for the 1964 World’s Fair. boiMAG.com

Animatronics

(Continued)

Sparko the Robot Dog, 1939 for parents who otherwise wouldn’t
let their kids come spend a fortune
World’s Fair debuted Sparko the Robot in his pizza-serving arcade. It worked,
Dog in 1939, introducing audiences most likely due to the talents of Mike
to animatronic animals well before Hatcher, a puppeteer and engineer
the theme parks would popularize the who created the characters and their
technology as a form of entertainment. skits. Later ShowBiz Pizza merged
with Chuck E. Cheese, so their Rock-
Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Birds, 1963 a-Fire Explosion characters were
Disney animators and engineers also added to the cast. Now that all
had been hard at work on audio- these characters are set to be retired
animatronics starting in 1961, and it for good by the pizza chain, it’s a
would take two years for the Enchanted good time to check out an awesome
Tiki Birds to cause theme parkgoers to retrospective interview with Bushnell
flock to the “Tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room.” in The Atlantic, or just watch the clip
At first, this attraction was separate on YouTube.
from the main park, charging its own
75-cent admission (approximately $6 Jurassic Park, 1993
today). The show’s main stars were the
singing parrots whose beaks repeat the The largest animatronics figure
addicting lyrics, as well as other songs ever made was the animatronic T.
like “Let’s All Sing Like the Birdies Sing.” Rex that was built for the massively
popular 1993 film Jurassic Park. Other
Mary Poppins, 1964 animatronics in movies that are just
as memorable, though, include Jaws,
In 1964, Mary Poppins became the Terminators, Gremlins, and E.T.
first movie to use animatronics, with
Mary seen drawing animatronic birds Furby, 1998
to perch on her hand while she sings
“A Spoonful of Sugar.” At least with In 1998, animatronics invaded homes
animatronic birds, she doesn’t have to everywhere via the hugely popular
worry about feeding them! toy, the Furby. With his blinking eyes,
moving beak, its appeal was that “the
Abraham Lincoln, 1964 more you say, the more they do!”

The first person to become translated Dinosaurs, 1991
into animatronics was Abraham Lincoln,
a pet project that Walt Disney debuted For the 1991 ABC sitcom Dinosaurs,
at the World Fair in 1964. animatronics were used to make
sure the Sinclairs’ faces could be as
Chuck E. Cheese, 1977 expressive as possible. The full-body
animatronic puppets that Brian
Chuck E. Cheese opened its doors Henson and the London Creature
in 1977, the genius idea of Atari co- Shop created were considered
founder Nolan Bushnell, and when groundbreaking. You can watch
it did, it premiered America’s first the clip on YouTube and note how
animatronic band. It was his way of animated the facial expressions are,
providing free entertainment as a lure especially when you compare it to Old
Abe’s more rigid features.

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Art on the mart
Merchandise Mart Chicago
 
In partnership with Chicago’s “We must remember that now, more than
Department of Cultural Affairs and ever, the world needs hope, optimism,
Special Events, Art on theMART will and joy,” said Greg Cameron, President
resume projections on Thursday, and Chief Executive Officer. “Though the
November 12 with an all new program. holiday season will look a lot different this
Just in time to celebrate the holidays, year, we must celebrate the galvanizing
The Joffrey Ballet will debut a moving- moments when we can. To share the story
image work of art featuring production of the Joffrey’s Nutcracker on one of the
images from its acclaimed production largest public canvases in the world will be
of the Christmas classic The Nutcracker a visible and vivid reminder to all that love
set to music from Tchaikovsky’s has the power to unite.”
beloved score; the Art Institute of Art Institute of Chicago: Monet and
Chicago will present images from two Chicago and Bisa Butler: Portraits
of its current exhibitions, Monet and  
Chicago, and Bisa Butler: Portraits; In conjunction with the Art Institute of
and Arts of Life, a nonprofit working Chicago exhibition Monet and Chicago, Art
with individuals with physical and on theMART illuminates the city’s historic
intellectual disabilities, will show riverfront building with projections of six
a compilation of the artists’ bold iconic paintings by famed Impressionist
images, animated together as a video Claude Monet, including Monet’s Water
projection. Lilies and Stacks of Wheat, accompanied
  by the classical music composition “Clair de
The 30-minute program of projections Lune” by Claude Debussy. Art on theMART’s
will be shown nightly at 7:00 and Monet projection offers a new multisensory
7:30 p.m. through December 30, and experience of the beloved works. Monet
can be viewed for free from the jetty and Chicago is on display at the Art
section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Institute through January 18, 2021.
Wacker Drive between Wells Street
and Franklin Street. In accordance Art on theMART will also project
with Chicago’s Phase Four pandemic captivating portraits by contemporary
guidelines, no more than 100 people American artist Bisa Butler in alignment
can be on the Riverwalk jetty and all with the Art Institute of Chicago’s
must comply with social distancing exhibition Bisa Butler: Portraits. Butler’s
regulations.  All spectators must wear portrait quilts present an expansive view
masks. The November 12 projections of history and engage with themes such as
will also be livestreamed on Facebook. family, community, migration, the promise
  of youth, and artistic legacies. A selection of
The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker Butler’s artworks accompanied by custom
The projection inspired by Joffrey sound provided by the artist, will extend
Ballet’s The Nutcracker allows visitors her vision into Chicago’s architectural
to experience scenes from the holiday landscape. Bisa Butler: Portraits is on
classic as they listen to Tchaikovsky’s display at the Art Institute through April 19,
famous score. The Joffrey’s rendition is 2021.
set during the 1893 World’s Fair “The Art Institute is delighted to celebrate
and follows Marie, a young girl who these two distinct narratives that both
receives a magical nutcracker for resonate—in very different ways—with the
Christmas and is transported to a city’s history and its evolving present,” said
magnificent world beyond her wildest Nora Gainer, Director of Civic Relations and
dreams. Representing the innovation, Partnerships, Art Institute of Chicago. “We
ingenuity and hope of Chicago, the are grateful for the innovation of Art on
production features the work of Tony theMART for helping us share these stories
Award®-winning choreographer on their very public stage.”
Christopher Wheeldon.
(Continued on a following page)

boiMAG.com 17







more about art on the mart

(Continued)

Arts of Life: City Circle Heart About theMART

City Circle Heart features the work theMART (formerly The Merchandise Mart),
of five studio artists with intellectual and located in the center of the sought-after River
developmental disabilities. The projection is a North submarket, is interwoven into the
compilation of colorful, abstract images that fabric of Chicago as an innovator in business,
are knitted together in a dynamic moving technology, culture, art, media and more. As the
image display that will attract people of all largest privately owned commercial building
abilities to appreciate the movement, colors in the United States, it is also one of the world’s
and unique soundscape. Participating artists leading commercial buildings, wholesale design
are Marcelo Añón, Veronica Cuculich, Stefan centers and the preeminent international
Harhaj, Hector Jones and Maria Vanik with business location in Chicago. Encompassing
motion graphics by Lisa Armstrong and sound 4.2 million gross square feet, theMART spans
design by Chris Kalis. two city blocks, rises 25 stories, and is visited
  by an average of 30,000 people each business
“Art on theMART provides an ideal opportunity day and nearly 10 million people annually.
to highlight our commitment to supporting Offering continuous innovation and creativity
artistic expression, to providing professional from leading manufacturers and design forward
development opportunities for artists with showrooms, theMART serves as the home to
intellectual and developmental disabilities Chicago’s most creative and technologically
and to introducing our artists’ work to new innovative companies including Motorola
audiences,” said Denise Fisher, Co-Founder and Mobility, 1871, Yelp, PayPal and MATTER, as well
Executive Director of Arts of Life. “This featured as Fortune 500 companies ConAgra, Allstate,
presentation is a perfect culminating project Kellogg, Beam Suntory and Grainger. For more
for our 20th Anniversary.” information, visit http://themart.com/.
   

About Art on theMART About the Department of Cultural
Affairs and Special Events
Art on theMART is the largest permanent
digital art projection in the world, projecting The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special
contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching
river-façade of theMART. This expansive Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy.
permanent piece of public art continues This includes fostering the development of
Chicago’s legacy of providing both residents Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent
and visitors with exceptional art that is both working artists and for-profit arts businesses;
free and accessible to all. Projections are visible providing a framework to guide the City’s future
to the public from Wacker Drive and along the cultural and economic growth, via the 2012
Chicago Riverwalk. Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s
  cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and
The program content rotates every season and presenting high-quality, free and affordable
is selected with the assistance and expertise cultural programs for residents and visitors. For
of the Curatorial Advisory Board. The City of more information, visit cityofchicago.org/dcase.
Chicago and theMART work in partnership
to manage and curate the projected artwork boiMAG.com 21
over the course of a 30-year agreement.
Privately funded by Vornado Realty Trust,
owner of theMART, Art on theMART marks the
first time a projection of its size and scope is
completely dedicated to digital art with no
branding, sponsorship credits or messaging.
The permanent projection system illuminates
theMART with 34 state-of-the-art projectors
totaling almost one million lumens. For more
information, visit www.artonthemart.com.
 





HEALTH & WELLBEING

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD?

By Dr. Charla Waxman Maybe someone in your neighborhood could
use a walk-buddy! Even putting on warm
BS, MBA, EdD clothes and sitting outside on your deck could
Community Liaison help.
Laugh: Look for funny movies or YouTube
The leaves are already videos that make you laugh. Laughter is a big
falling, mornings are healer!
cooler, and it is dark earlier. Help someone: Make a point of helping
That can mean only one someone else who is struggling. Get out of your
thing; fall and winter are own thoughts by reaching out. Helping others
approaching. helps us.
Some people are energized by the fall and Get help now: Start talking to a therapist who
look forward to winter sports, hot chocolate, can help you get on top of SAD; before it even
and warm evenings by a fire. Others dread the really starts. A therapist will be able to help
seasons of shorter days and harsh weather. you become more self-aware and support you
Some may even say it is gloomy and intolerable; during the tougher days.
that it is downright depressing and puts them Connect: Many churches are providing virtual
in a grumpy mood. meetings and services. It is a great way to learn
2020 brings with it much more than shorter and grow spiritually. Many church groups also
days, moodiness, and bad weather. We are provide shut-in support and support is almost
in the middle of a pandemic with the threat always free to all.
of an even heavier resurgence of COVID 19. Know the warning signs. Here are some ways
As if Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is not you may be able to recognize SAD:
enough, some of us will be dealing with the • More sleeping than usual at many times of the day.
high anxiety of a worrisome flu year. • Overeating and eating foods that are not usual
If SAD has already been a part of your life, for you (e.g. sweets and carbs)
this flu season and a pandemic may only • Disinterest in hobbies.
make things feel worse. The isolation of • Lack of desire to do much of anything.
inclement weather may be accentuated by • Frustration over little things; or downright
not being outdoors or with neighbors, friends anger.
and family for long stretches of time. Indoor • Overall stretches of sadness that are hard to
confinement and true social isolation bring get through.
about unexpected levels of depression, anger, This pandemic has intensified many psychiatric
and anxiety. disorders for many people. You are not alone if
There is hope! You know the season is coming. you are feeling less well emotionally.
Preparation will be the key to a SAD strategy. Be
proactive! Here are some ideas for a personal
attack against SAD:

Journal: Stay connected to your feelings and You also have Chicago Behavioral Hospital
start now! If you see yourself starting to fade 24/7/365. By walk-in, appointment, or just give
into sadness, make social connections, exercise, us call, your Chicago Behavioral Assessment
or begin a routine of reading motivational and Referral team will help support you when
books and quotes. you feel like SAD or any other mental health
Spend some money: Not on just anything! concern is just too much to bear. A level of
Consider buying a SAD therapeutic light. Many care assessment provided by our licensed
find this makes a big difference for them. professionals will determine what level of
Get outside: Bundle up and get out there. treatment is best to move you toward improved
mental health. To learn more or to get the help
you need right now call: 844-756-8600.

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Stop Negative Thinking

Feel Better Starting Now

Self-defeating thoughts can be short lived or we focus on our strengths, growth areas often
part of a condition we actively work to manage improve as a result. Note how I called these
(often anxiety and depression). Either way, “growth areas” and not “weaknesses”.  Words
they don’t feel good, we all have them, and it’s matter - use ones that build you up, not tear you
important to catch ourselves when we start to down!
notice them.  We can do this by working as our
own fact checker. Polarized thinking:  Black and white. Right and
We do this with major debates, the news, and Wrong. If you’re not first, you’re last. I either do
when someone else tells us something we’re everything at the gym or nothing at all. This is
not sure is true.  The crazy thing about this is polarized thinking.  The best way to combat it?
that we generally Don't do this when it comes Focus on progress NOT perfection. Success is
to our own thoughts or internal monologue. We in the details, and keeping a gratitude journal
assume these thoughts and ideas are 100% or list of victories over the course of the week
accurate, even when some of them are not. makes a big difference. Consistency is essential
As much as we would like to believe our own to achieving any goal, not being perfect. The
thoughts are always the truth, the fact is more we practice consistency and progress in
that sometimes they are FAKE NEWS. These anything we do, whether it be work, health goals,
specific negative and untrue thoughts are or relationships, the better off we’ll be at it. I don’t
called “cognitive distortions”. Specifically, these know how many times we have to tell ourselves
are thoughts that reinforce negative thinking this, but EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS! Anything else
patterns that generally have little to no basis is polarized thinking. It’ okay to live in the “gray
in reality.  Essentially they are the words of our area”.
inner critic, not the voice of truth.
According to PsychCentral some of the most Overgeneralization: Taking one instance of
common distortions are called filtering, something happening, and applying the result
polarized thinking, and overgeneralizing. to all other areas is overgeneralizing. I actually
The best way to arm yourself against these did this with CrossFit. I went to one specific
distortions? Recognize when they are gym, had a terrible experience, and swore it off
happening and get inside your own head. for good.  Not just this specific center, but all
Don’t be scared to tell yourself your thoughts of CrossFit, for the rest of my life. To be honest,
are wrong, especially when they are self- I still haven’t gone back and this is something
defeating.  You can either be your best friend or that I need to give another shot. I can’t take one
your worst enemy. Don’t you want to have your bad coach or exercise class and apply it to every
own back? coach and gym out there. Scientists don’t take
Let’s take a closer look at these Top 3 Cognitive one finding in a small sample and then announce
Distortions, and how we can better arm it to the world as the absolute truth, and neither
ourselves to deconstruct them: should we.  IT’S BAD SCIENCE!
Filtering: This is when we selectively filter
out all positive instances and only focus on Moral of the story:  Investigate your thoughts
the negative. You know those meetings where and refute them. If you catch yourself having
your boss tells you 10 things you’re great at and self doubt in any area, be sure to examine why
one area for growth, but all you think about is and look for the positives. The more we focus
the one negative? This is filtering.  Instead of on this, the more we hardwire the pathways to
focusing on the area for growth, write down positive thinking and make it part of our natural
the 10 things that you were complimented on, thinking process. That’s the cool thing about our
and focus on these! We are much better off brains, the more we focus on something the more
building on our strengths than we are focusing hardwired it becomes. So if we think positive,
on the one thing we’re not great at. It’s ok to we’re going to be positive, and the same vice
be mindful of your growth areas, but it’s not versa.  Be a mad scientist - destroy the fake news
so great when we let them consume us. When in your brain! Don’t be afraid to question your
own thinking. After all - we know ourselves best,
and if we don’t call ourselves on our own BS, then
who will?

#Change That Up boiMAG.com 27

by Jack Santo

Better Data Analytics With the help of sensors and other smart
beacon techniques, you can expect various
In the next few years, the upcoming IoT app features that can make your shopping a
trends will surely surprise you with their cakewalk. IoT will introduce the world to a new
offerings. These trends will not only provide era of shopping that will attract customers from
effective processes to execute tasks but also all categories and offer an alluring experience
help in making our lives easier and more to buy whatever you desire.
comfortable. Soon, we can witness significant
ways by which the world and IoT will combine Smart Cities to Become Mainstream
to become a decision-making assistant for
all individuals and businesses. Without data In the past, it was seen that states were
analytics, it would be difficult for companies observed to take advantage of accessible data
to execute a business process as quoted by analysis tools. But soon, we will see interesting
Geoffrey Moore, an author, and consultant in IoT trends where smart cities with a planned
these words, vision will invest in pioneering exchanges of
Without data analytics, companies are blind data between public & private organizations
and deaf, wandering out onto the web just together with citizens.
like a deer on a freeway. The integration of IoT with receptive cities will
With the use of AI and Big Data techniques, bring alluring benefits for all. It will pave a path
these IoT trends popping up in the near by rendering ways for sustainable development.
future will foster improved decision making It will also ensure decreased traffic congestion
among market strategists and industry and improved security within the city.
experts. Better data analytics help to extract
meaningful and valuable insights. Later, Predictive Maintenance
this information is analyzed and processed
for creating a systematic approach to make Another important among all the other IoT
effective business moves. app trends in 2020, predictive maintenance
will help homeowners know about the
Personalization of the Retail damages and leakages in their homes. This
Experience will prevent homes from disasters and help
in the maintenance of the same. Most of the
IoT app trends of the following years will characteristics of the sensors that one can
make retail supply chain management even witness in factories, airplanes, and automobiles
more efficient than ever before. It will simplify can easily be achieved with the help of all the
the shopping experience making it easier upcoming IoT app trends.
for the users to make online purchases. IoT Using the predictive skills of IoT, companies
will provide a personalized retail experience offer home care services on a contractual
to the customers and help in boosting your basis. They take appropriate actions to prevent
commercial presence on the web. App damage whenever a problem is perceived. At
development is another way to boost your present, various home insurance companies
online presence. You can hire developer to make use of smart sensors and various other
create innovative apps for your business connected devices using the internet of things
needs. trends.

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