The Driving Force of Research...

It is well known that the driving force of research, in this case the investigation of making gears out of gourds for automata, is questions. At the beginning of a project, I usually have lots of questions. I know a lot about gourds -- there are many kinds, many thicknesses, many shapes.  A gourd grows on a vine very much like a pumpkin vine, although pumpkins are edible and gourd are not. Fully grown, a gourd is 85-90% water. Once the gourd dehydrates, the wall is pretty tough. Gourd wall structure is similar to a soft wood like balsa or maybe even pine.

My questions are going to center around gears. What are they? What kinds are there? Do I make the gears first and build the gourd automata around whatever gear thing I can make, OR do I design the automata first, then figure out the gears to make so it does what I want it to do?  Which way is better?

Basic question? What is an automata?  It is an movable object or piece of art, usually with a humorous touch. Also called kinetic toys or machines, they can be handcranked items for entertainment. This one from Singapore Polytechnic School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering is advertising their Toy Design Competition 2014. Note how the three different gears produce different movement.