Remote control or timed exposure for mechanical shutter release?

I would like to have the ability to remotely fire, and ideally remotely control the timing, of a mechanically controlled shutter. Specifically I'm thinking of a large format camera or a film camera that has a cable release socket.

Has anyone ever done anything like this? I'm imagining I may have to build this myself.

-K

Should be able to find a mechanical cable release around; that's what we always used to need. They came in simple push-wire ones and in pneumatic ones for longer distances. There are probably also electromechanical ones around with intervalometer functionality. Since there was a standard thread for shutter releases, finding one that works should be easier than if you were looking for one for an electronic camera.