Preserving Movement: A tool for classifying and Conserving Historic Toys Based on the Study of Their Mechanisms

This master’s thesis develops an innovative methodological tool for identifying, characterizing, and diagnosing the mechanical systems found in tinplate toys produced between 1920 and 1960. The research examines how these historic toys function from the perspective of mechanical physics, with particular attention to the dynamic interactions within their internal mechanisms. In parallel, the project establishes a set of diagnostic procedures to assess their state of preservation, relying exclusively on non-destructive examination and analytical techniques. Together, these components aim to support more informed conservation strategies and contribute to the broader understanding of movement-based heritage objects. 

Supervisors: Isabel Tissot (LIBPhys-UNL) e Tiago Silva (UNIDEMI - NOVA FCT)