Here are some examples of Robert’s work:
One case for the Texas Navy Exhibit Houston Toad life model for The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Prism cart for The Children's Museum of Houston The Texas Navy Exhibit
Glassell School of Art, Jungle party functional swaying bridge
Robert's Coral snake life model at The Houston Zoo. Robert's most famous model was on display at The City of Houston Zoo for four years until someone reported it "dead". This model received The Esquire Magazine’s Dubious Achievement award as well as some international press and a Texas Monthly Bum Steer Award.
Zoo Trickery (from the Austin Statesman)
It is not often there is an opportunity to have one's cake and eat it, too. But Robert Rothbard may have provided Austin the opportunity.
Rothbard designed a rubber coral snake used in a display at the Houston Zoo (coral snakes are hard to keep in captivity). No one noticed it was fade. For four years.
Periodically, there is a a movement in Austin for a local zoo. But the problems of location, cost, smell, and ethical considerations get in the way. By adopting the Rothbard method of creating trompe l'oeil "animals," Austin could have a cheap, clean, odor-free and ethically pristine zoo. But officials would need to remember to move the "animals from time to time.
3/8" scale model, levels 3, 4, and 5 are removable.