Taking the Cats Temperature

William Heath Robinson studied at Islington School of Art and briefly at the Royal Academy Schools. His first book illustrations were published in 1897 but it was not until 1902 when he illustrated and part wrote the simple and amusing Uncle Lubin, that he began to established a name for his unique style and humour. At this time he also began to draw the cartoons and depictions of comic contraptions for which he is so well known. These drawings first appeared in magazines such as the Sketch and Pall Mall Magazine and he also illustrated many of his own publications. He used this sort of drawing to illustrate many advertising and publicity booklets and had a long and successful commercial career. In addition to his drawings he appeared on radio and television, produced scenery and murals and in 1934 designed a “Heath Robinson” house for the Ideal Homes Exhibition.