Time Machine Box

I’ve been thinking about time a lot lately, and apropos of the passage of time have a few suitably themed offerings to share. This one comes from our man in Hungary, Tamas Vanyo, who has of late been dabbling in both puzzle boxes (a relatively new area of exploration for him) and AI (something he has been fascinated with for a long time). Tamas’ recent creations are equal parts artistic expression and puzzling opening mechanism. I love how he is able to distill fantastical AI generated images into something real, retaining the whimsy and spectacle of the CGI in the physical box. Who knows, in the not too distant future he may even have the puzzle mechanisms generated by AI as well.

Following on the heels of the Computer and Solar System comes the Time Machine, a journey into the past, and possibly, the future. Set your coordinates carefully, lest you get lost in time. Tamas was kind enough to play Time Lord and guide us through his most recent creation. “I am very fascinated by the world of images created by AI, I experiment a lot with it. During my first tests, I was already interested in what kind of wooden puzzle the system would create, so I formulated questions in this direction. Of course, they were rudimentary and physically impossible, but I quickly realized that their visual world and their richness of detail are limitless.

So I asked for ideas for the appearance, and I added the puzzles myself. The world of box puzzles also started to excite me at that time, since I had previously designed and created interlocked puzzles that could be assembled. The decoration of the box provides a good opportunity for a special, detailed appearance, and the internal mechanism offers various ways to open the box.

The appearance of the Time Machine Box was developed after several attempts. During this time, the AI designed many different box looks. There were many that were impossible to do with my hobby carpenter skills, but there were some that gave me good ideas for implementing the parts.

I also thought a lot about the box’s working mechanics. I have no experience with sequential discovery puzzles (yet), so I chose a simple opening method. I think it’s not bad if a puzzle has a lot of distracting details that have nothing to do with opening the box. This box turned out to be like that.”

It’s true that the opening mechanisms for the Time Machine Box is not as complex as it might appear from the surface, but it is well thought out and designed, with nothing left arbitrary or by chance. If you stumble upon the solution, you haven’t been paying attention! I like that Tamas is trying out new ideas, which he will surely build upon over … time.

“I started the puzzle by designing and making the small parts. The rotating numbered elements, world map, clock face, decorative strips, screws were all meticulously made by hand on my circular saw.

The attached picture shows the elements (and some Solar System Box cover elements next to them.) I then added the box lid and the opening mechanism. For the latter – opening the box – a small hint can be seen on the finished box. Then came the decoration, which was also inspired by my previous knowledge. I always liked the different control panels that you can see in (especially sci-fi) movies. I loved the Tardis from Doctor Who, so an idea came together that connects the different elements of the box.

A funny thing happened in the meantime, because I wasn’t satisfied with the initial result. So I asked Steve what kind of decoration he wanted. Something like a motherboard, or a labyrinth, or something like the Nazca lines. I sent a picture of the box without decoration, but he left the decision to me.” If you don’t meddle with someone’s artistic vision, you might get something as nice as this!

Tamas has plans to continue the AI box series. “My other ideas include boxes with different themes. I’m very interested in the world of encryption, I’m already quite good at designing and making an encryption-themed box. I’m planning to purchase a laser engraving machine so that I can display the inscriptions and drawings in an even more beautiful way.” Time will tell, and we can’t wait.

Arbitrary Nature of Time cocktail — The Arbitrary Nature of Time by Maks Pazuniak

I’m toasting this Time Machine with a tasty time traveling tipple from Maks Pazuniak, a celebrated bartender whose cocktails I have featured on numerous prior occasions. He, along with his pal Kurt Estopinal, penned a slim but storied collection of modern drinks which they originally dubbed “Rogue Cocktails” but later, for various reasons, became “Beta Cocktails”. Back in 2009 they were selling this underground collection at Cure, their new trend setting bar in New Orleans which is still setting standards of cocktail excellence.

You can find this drink among the handful of what are now classics on those pages. Their philosophy about good drinks was expansive, but a few basic tenets still hold true, at least for me. A good drink should be one that any decent bartender (professional or otherwise!) can make with common bottles found in a well stocked bar (or home cabinet!). Fancy infusions and obscure ingredients are exciting, but certainly not required. Personally I like something I can actually make at home with enough time left over to enjoy it. They don’t neglect the philosophy that although not everyone will love these drinks, they should be really good. Taste is arbitrary, for cocktails, for puzzles, for all art. And it can change over time. Cheers!

Time Machine Box puzzle by Tamas Vanyo and Arbitrary Nature of Time cocktail — if you’ve got some time on your hands …

The Arbitrary Nature of Time by Maks Pazuniak

1 ¼ oz rye whiskey

1 oz Campari

2/3 oz Cherry Heering

1 dash orange bitters

2 dashes mole bitters

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Orange twist.

explore more:

Time Passages

Time Machine Box

Decade

Taking Flight