The vibration absorber described in this paper consists of a gyrostat suspended symmetrically about an axis perpendicular to that of the torsional vibration which it is desired to suppress. The gyrostat is fitted with springs and a viscous damping mechanism which allow limited vibration about its axis. This device is a modification of that employed by Schlick (1904)†, in his attempt to stabilize the rolling of ships at sea. The new arrangement, however, is more efficient, is not restricted to very low frequencies, and is, in general, capable of application to vibration superposed on a mean velocity. A theoretical study is made of the response of such an absorber to one- and two-mass vibratory systems under both forced and self-induced vibration, and design methods are derived by which the essential dimensions for any given application may be readily determined. Experimental investigations with a gyrostatic absorber applied to a one-mass system under forced vibration are recorded, and the results compared with theoretical prediction. The design of a full-scale absorber built to suppress vibration of the table of a heavy planing machine is also given, together with the results obtained with the apparatus on trial.