a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Mechanical Men and Robot Models from various Meccano Instruction Manuals. 1931 Mechanical Man AMONG the many mechanical marvels that scientists tell us will be common sights in the year 2031 A.D., none can be of greater interest than the " robots " or mechanical men which, we are assured, wilt be used to perform almost …
Read More “Early Meccano Robot Models – Frank Hornby et al (British)”
The Walking Gyro was conceived and built by John Jameson in 1981. Article Source: Robotics Age, January 1985. THE WALKING GYRO John W Jameson 275 E. O'Keefe #7 Palo Alto, CA 94303 Walking machines generally fall into one of two categories: statically balanced or dynamically balanced. A statically balanced machine maintains stability at every position …
Read More “1981 – The Walking Gyro – John W. Jameson (American)”
A gyroscopic toy, that imparts a walking motion via a reciprocating crank, driven via a worm off the flywheel shaft. The bottom part is interchangeable so that the pedaling unicycle can be replaced by walking stilts, or a leg arrangement for tight-rope walking. Patent number: 2588040 – see full patent details here. Filing date: Apr …
Read More “1950 – Toy Unicycle Pedaling Clown – Wilfredo Perez (American)”
The Gyro-Cycle – A pseudo-pedalling machine. Source: "Mechanical Toys" by Athelstan & Kathleen Spilhaus, 1990 First Meccano Magazine advertisement was in April 1938. A very ingenious scientific toy. Toy was invented by a famous airplane designer in England. Action depends on the well known gyroscopic principle. The front wheel is the gyroscope and drives the …
Read More “1936 – The Gyro-Cycle – Hubert Charles Henry Townend (British)”
Wendell the Unicyclist premiered in 1988, and is the world’s only unicycle riding animatronic figure. He performs without any visible means of support. Source: The Illusion of Life: Lifelike Robotics, Gene W. Poor, 1991 "… But the most impressive component Garner brings to the animation marketplace is an extraordinarily creative mind with superb problem-solving and …
Read More “1988 – “Wendell” the Unicycle Rider – Garner Holt (American)”