connecting links which convert the rotation of an axle into a stepping motion of six or more legs. This allows the strandbeesten to travel over sand much more efficiently than if it were to travel on wheels. What was at first a rudimentary "breed" has evolved slowly, with the help of evolutionary computation techniques, into a generation of kinetic sculptures that can react to their environment to some degree. According to Jansen, he was inspired by The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins. Jansen has said "I make skeletons that are able to walk on the wind. Over time, these skeletons have become increasingly better at surviving the elements such as storms and water and eventually I want to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives." Constructed from PVC piping, wood, fabric airfoils, and zip ties, Jansen's sculptures are constantly being improved and are designed to function in the sandy beach environment in which Jansen releases them. The sculptures are also able to store air pressure in order to propel themselves in the absence of wind. Jansen's more sophisticated creations are able to detect when they have entered water and are then able to move away from it. One model is capable of anchoring itself to the earth if an approaching storm is sensed. A 2016 episode of The Simpsons, "The Nightmare After Krustmas", featured the strandbeesten and Jansen. He provided the voice for his cartoon character. See also Jansen's linkage – leg mechanics Soda Constructor – an online physics-simulation game enabling the design of virtual Jansen-like creations Genetic algorithms – the method used in the design of the sculptures' legs References External links Strandbeest.com – web site with video and photographs of the sculptures Strandbeestmovie.com – documentary film about Theo Jansen by Alexander Schlichter – the web site is a workbook with videos and pictures "My creations, a new form of life" (TED2007) Real-time 2-D simulation of Jansen's sculpture using the APE physics engine Strandbeest: Theo Jansen from Art Futura, 2005 Theo Janssen Machine in Mathcad on PlanetPTC 1948 births Living people Dutch sculptors Dutch male sculptors Artists from The Hague