Pioneer Limber Jack Dancing Doll

Dancing dolls have been popular street entertainment for hundreds of years. They are thought to have been brought to England from Italy as early as the sixteenth century; such older versions were known as Poupées à la Planchette or Marionettes à la Planchette. These puppets, operated by a horizontal string attached to the musician's leg, 'danced' on a board on the ground as the musician tapped his foot. They were, and still are, popular street entertainment throughout Europe

I had a Industrial Arts teacher, 45 years ago, that showed me one like this, and our Industrial Arts Club went into production and crafted them in a wood shop. We made them out of pine, and sold them for $20.00 each for our club. We sold enough of them at a pioneer festival to pay for a round trip, chartered bus, 120 miles to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, hotel lodging for 2 students per room over night and the two club teachers, food for 2 days  and every student in the club (all 8 of us ) each received about 100 dollars cash that was  leftover in the end. It was a blast. I thought about this the other day and in remembrance of the club and that teacher I created this model to print.

To Build:

Insert pins (nails) into holes in knee joint, hip joints and shoulders

A Dowel rod goes in the back of main body, 18 inches long 1/4inch size

You will also need a tap dancing  board, of 24 inches long 4 inches wide and 1/8th inch thick

Ensure the joints need to swing freely.

Enjoy