W. Heath Robinson – part 19

William Heath Robinson (1872 – 1944) was an English illustrator and cartoonist, best known for his drawings of complicated machines for achieving simple objectives. “Heath Robinson Contraption” is a phrase that entered the language during WW1 in Britain, and later in the United States.

William wrote and illustrated three highly successful children’s books (The Adventures of Uncle Lubin 1902, Bill the Minder 1912, Peter Quip in Search of a Friend 1933) as well as illustrating numerous others.

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 19 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1936 How to Live in a Flat:

DUST JACKET

CLOTH COVER

A VISION OF THINGS TO COME - A ROOF IDYLL ON STRATOSPHERE MANSIONS

EARLY FLATS

THE ROOF GARDEN

ROMANTIC POSSIBILITIES IN MODERN FLATS

A FLAT WEDDING

PLAN OF A FOUR-ROOMED FLAT WARMED BY ONE STOVE

THE SPARE BEDROOM

ECONOMY OF SPACE IN THE LOUNGE HALL

THE MUSIC ROOM

THE FRESH AIR PARLOUR

THE DRESSER-PIANO

MODERNITY IN BEDROOM FURNITURE

MODERN CARPET DESIGNS MAY PROVIDE ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR FRIENDS

PETS' PLAYGROUND, TRYPLIT MANSIONS

SOME FLAT DWELLERS MANAGE TO KEEP A COW

PETS' CORNER, BOLDERSBURY COURT, S.W.

A PRETTY LITTLE BIRD BATH AT LINNET COURT

A ROUND OF GOLF AT DORISDENE MANSIONS

THE ANNUAL GOLDFISHING COMPETITION

HOLIDAY JOYS IN MODERN FLATS

AN ARTISTIC WAY OF HIDING AN UNSIGHTLY VIEW

BATHROOM SPACE ECONOMY

OVERCOMING THE DIFFICULTY OF CLEANING THE OUTSIDE OF A CASEMENT WINDOW

CONVERSION OF AN OLD-FASHIONED SCULLERY TO A BATHROOM

SECTION OF A CONVERTED HOUSE, SHOWING CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT OF SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LOUNGE AND DINING-ROOM

WASHING DAY

LIFT COMFORT

QUICK SERVICE IN BREAKFAST PARLOURETTE

THE DINNER GONG

COMPACT ARRANGEMENT OF THE LIMITED SPACE IN A BUNGALOW DINING-ROOM

THE BABY GRAND IN A BUNGALOW

THE SNEEZE

 THE FLOATING BUNGALOW, FOR DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO FLOODS

THE BUNGALOW KITCHENETTE

HANDING UP THE DEOCH AN' DORIS IN A MODERN SERVICE FLAT

COMMUNAL EURHYTHMICS AND PHYSICAL JERKS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS

1937 How to be a Perfect Husband:

Front Cover

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1939 How to be a Motorist:

Original Cover

Later Cover

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1937 Published in "Tit-Bits" December 1937. Title page 
pen and ink 41.3 x 31.3 cm

1938 An early attempt to split the atom

1938 My Line of Life

1940 Published in "The Sketch" The All-ways-at-once Incendiary Extinguisher
pen and ink and watercolour ( black & white ) 39.3 x 29.1 cm

1940 Mein Rant

1942 Published in "The Sketch" Enemy Ice Mortars for Preventing Pursuit When Crossing Frozen Rivers
pen and ink and watercolour ( black & white ) 38.7 x 29.8 cm

1942 Published in "The Sketch" A New Method of Training Young German Ski Troops to do the Goose Step on the Frozen Steppes of Russia
pen and ink and watercolour 40.6 x 30.5 cm

1943 Published in "Holly Leaves"