As I was working I noticed that the way I designed the differential gearing actually created a spare drive that sat directly below the emperor's feet, or where they would be if he were to sit in the chariot.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The chariot was purchased by a private collector who took it home to New York. I take pleasure in knowing that it was built to last for at least a thousand years.
I started by looking at what others had done before me. You see, over the years there have been attempts by many different people to reconstruct the chariot.
In practical terms the South Pointing Chariot was a simple direction finder. It could have been made to point in any direction - north, south, east or west.
I don't know if you saw the parting of the Red Sea with the chariots on the horses, I did stuff like that.
Once you break a habit into its components, you can fiddle with the gears.
I'd love to drive a Bugatti - something totally ridiculous but super fast.
There was no drive because I wanted to become a great designer... I had two small children and a mother, and we all had to eat. That's the drive I had.
The traveller who aspires to reach the highlands of Tibet from Kashmir cannot be borne along in a carriage or hill-cart. For much of the way, he is limited to a foot pace, and if he has regard to his horse, he walks down all rugged and steep descents, which are many, and dismounts at most bridges.
I think most artists find it difficult to part with their work but it's the parting that keeps us alive and keeps us working. In the case of the chariot, although it's been sold I actually still have it, just in another form.
The reason the Romans built their great paved highways was because they had such inconvenient footwear.