South Pointing Chariot

myminifactory

The South Pointing Chariot is an ancient Chinese chariot with a figure mounted on top that forever points towards the south, regardless of which direction the chariot is heading. A complex system of gears drives a differential powered by the two wheels, allowing the figure to move relative to the chariot. While not entirely accurate due to the need for extremely precise dimensional accuracy in the gears and wheels, the South Pointing Chariot is an impressive sight on grand public occasions. Historical records indicate that the first version of this chariot was developed around 2600 BC, but the earliest historically confirmed model was created by Ma Jun in approximately 200 AD. Unfortunately, the secret to its operation was lost over time and reinvented many times throughout history. In 1947, George Lanchester designed a modern model that utilized a differential to power the pointing figure. This model is based on Lanchester's design, which features a 1:1 ratio between the wheels and the differential, as well as a wheelbase equal to the diameter of the wheels. All necessary calculations for this design can be found online. For more information and details about how the South Pointing Chariot works, visit http://www.3dprinterclocks.com and watch their video on the subject.