I've just watched 'Mechanical Marvels : Clockwork Dreams' on BBC4; Excellent programme about the development of mechanical automata in the 1700's. Absolutely incredible engineering going initially into the timekeeping instruments and then into the design of automata for the entertainment of the gentry. It also discusses the impact of precision mechanics on the political situation at the time.
It's appeared on YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rVevX-YXqo : and even if you don't watch the whole thing, take a look at the writing boy at 27:40.