in accordance with the present invention , animation of figures , whether large or small , can be achieved through the use of a simplified device and method . the device can take the form of enumerable specific embodiments , all of which are within the scope of the present invention . all such specific embodiments employ at least two collapsible chambers which are independently connected to a fluid supply means . at least two such chambers are placed in such physical relationship that the inflation of either chamber and deflation of its complimentary chamber , causes an outward movement of the figure . typically , inflation of one chamber places a force on another , complimentary chamber . such force tends to cause the collapse of that other chamber . the collapsible chambers of the present invention may be constructed of any suitable elastic material , such as natural or synthetic rubber , including styrene - butadiene rubber . the composition of the chamber is not critical as long as it is flexible and collapsible over repeated cycles of inflation and deflation . the collapsible chambers should be as fluid - tight as possible , to minimize the energy necessary to change and maintain the chambers in a state of inflation or deflation . the fluid necessary to cause the inflation or deflation of the chambers likewise is not critical , although for ease and simplicity of design , fabrication , and operation , it is preferred to use air to inflate the chambers . the pressure maintained in the chambers when inflated likewise is not critical and any pressure over atmospheric is desirable , such as from about 2 to about 200 psi . essentially , there is no limitation upon the amount of pressure which may be employed , as the components of the system may be varied in design to accommodate the desired pressure . the amount of pressure employed to inflate a chamber is directly translatable into the amount of strength which may be exhibited by the animated character . further , the pressure differential maintained between inflated chambers and deflated chambers is directly translatable into speed . the greater the differential , the more quickly that a given chamber can inflate and a second chamber deflate , allowing the figure to rapidly change in outward appearance . preferably , the chambers , when inflated , will be inflated to a pressure from about 20 psi to about 80 psi , more preferably to a pressure of about 50 psi . likewise , when deflated , the deflated chamber will be maintained at atmospheric pressure or below . typically , the pressure necessary to operate the system will be supplied from a conventional air compressor , capable of being operated by conventional 110 volt current or even batteries . when one chamber is inflated , typically that inflated chamber will apply a force to the other , although that force need may not be fully opposing in the sense that full inflation of the one chamber would necessarily cause full collapse of the other . hence , the force exerted by one chamber against the other also may be tangential , as illustrated in the embodiments discussed below . to provide for the ability to inflate the chambers , each chamber is placed in fluid communication with a fluid supply means which is capable of supplying fluid thereto through a fluid supply conduit . respective fluid control means , or valves , control the fluid flow to each of the collapsible chambers . normally the valves are of the type which are either fully open or fully closed , although in some applications valves capable of being placed in partially open positions may be employed . in typical operation , when the valve to one of the collapsible chambers is placed in a closed position , the valve associated with the opposing chamber is placed in an open position . the invention will be further illustrated by the figures discussed below . fig1 a through 1e show an embodiment of the present invention in which two collapsible chambers 120 and 130 are contained within a flexible exterior sheath 110 which has been shaped to represent a human arm with an attached hand 112 . chamber 120 has an inflated or filled shape of a substantially straight cylinder , while chamber 130 has an inflated or filled shape of an &# 34 ; l &# 34 ;. chamber 120 is fluidly connected to conduit 122 which places chamber 120 in fluid communication with valve 124 , which in turn is placed in fluid communication with fluid supply 140 by means of conduit 126 . similarly , chamber 130 is connected to conduit 132 which places chamber 130 in fluid communication with valve 134 , which in turn is placed in fluid communication with fluid supply 140 by means of conduit 136 . chamber 120 is also fluidly connected to conduit 123 which places chamber 120 in fluid communication with valve 125 , which in turn is placed in fluid communication with fluid evacuation chamber 150 by means of conduit 127 . similarly , chamber 130 is connected to conduit 133 which places chamber 130 in fluid communication with valve 135 , which in turn is placed in fluid communication with fluid evacuation chamber 150 by means of conduit 137 . pump 160 is placed in fluid communication with both fluid supply 140 and fluid evacuation chamber 150 by means of conduits 162 and 164 , respectively . valves 124 , 125 , 134 and 135 are connected to actuator means 128 , 129 , 138 and 139 , respectively ( not shown ). the valves may be electro - mechanical valves which are actuated by electric current , as is well known in the art . any type of valve may be employed , as well as any actuator means , including electrical , mechanical , pneumatic , or the like . in operation , extension of the arm is achieved by inflating chamber 120 by opening valves 124 and 135 and closing valves 125 and 134 , as shown in fig1 a and 1d . in this manner , fluid flows from fluid supply 140 to fully inflate chamber 120 , while fluid is drawn from chamber 130 into fluid reservoir 150 . pump 160 is demand activated and supplies pressure , if necessary , to evacuate reservoir 150 and to pressurize fluid supply 140 . the speed with which the arm moves from one position to another is directly dependent upon the pressure differential maintained between the fluid supply 140 and the fluid reservoir 150 . to achieve motion of the arm and movement of the arm to a &# 34 ; bent &# 34 ; configuration , valves 124 and 135 are closed and valves 125 and 134 are opened , causing chamber 120 to be evacuated and chamber 130 to be inflated , as shown in fig1 b and 1e . by controlling the valves to allow both chambers 120 and 130 to become partially filled and partially evacuated , incremental positions between fully extended and fully bent can be achieved , as shown in fig1 c . as can be readily ascertained from fig1 inflation of either chamber 120 or chamber 130 causes the inflated chamber to exert a force on the other chamber , tending to cause collapse of that other chamber . although fig1 represents a preferred embodiment , other simplified embodiments are also possible , although less desired . because inflation of either chamber 120 or chamber 130 causes a collapsing force to be exerted , it is not necessary in all instances that the evacuation chamber and associated conduit be employed . thus , for example , conduits 126 and 136 can be eliminated , which would then allow the fluid , such as air , to escape to the environment , upon the opening of valves 124 or 134 , once collapsing pressure is applied by virtue of the inflation of the other chamber . fig2 a through 2f are illustrations of another embodiment of the present invention in which 200 represents , generally , a replication of a human torso having an upper half 202 and a lower half 204 . the upper half is rotationally mounted to the lower half at junction 206 . collapsible chambers 220 and 230 , when inflated , have the configuration of a segment of a circle and are rigidly mounted at opposite end to the lower half of the torso 204 by means of attaching plates 203 and 205 , respectively . the collapsible chambers 220 and 230 are mounted to a common attaching plate 207 which is also rigidly mounted to the upper half of the torso 202 . inflation of chamber 220 causes rotation of the upper half of the torso 202 in a counter - clockwise direction , as shown in fig2 a and 2d , while inflation of chamber 230 causes rotation of the upper half of the torso 202 in a clockwise direction , as shown in fig2 c and 2f . the collapsible chambers may be easily placed in fluid communication with a fluid supply source and an evacuation chamber in a manner similar to that shown in fig1 . from fig2 it is readily apparent that inflation of either chamber 220 or chamber 230 causes a directly opposing collapsing force to be applied to the other chamber . the pressure differential maintained between the fluid supply and the fluid reservoir sides of the system again controls the speed at which the torso will rotate . partial evacuation and partial pressurization of both chambers 220 and 230 causes the upper torso 202 to be rotated to intermediate positions between full clockwise rotation and full counter - clockwise rotation , as shown in fig2 b and 2e . although the invention has been specifically described in terms of two collapsible chambers , it is clear that more than two chambers may be employed within the spirit and scope of the present invention , especially if more complicated motion or movement is desired . the present invention should be especially well suited for use in duplicating the complex movements , such as that exhibited by a human hand . also , because there is no significant limitation upon the pressure which may be employed in the system , high levels of strength may be exhibited by the figures which are animated through use of the present invention .