1928 – Eric Robot – Capt. Richards & A.H. Reffell (English)

Each press article of the day offered a different snippet about Captain William H. Richards’ Eric Robot.  I will summerise them here. Eric Robot was constructed at Gomshall, near Dorking [see note below], by Captain William H. Richards, a veteran of the First World War, and a noted journalist and A. H. Reffell, a motor engineer.  What caused its invention was the …

1923-8 – Robot – Capt. Alban J. Roberts (New Zealand/Australia/U.K.)

Captain Alban J. Roberts – mobile, light operated automaton 1920’s (responsible for robots attributed to Jasper Maskelyne (music halls). I have also seen this automaton incorrectly attributed to Capt W. H. Richards -Eric (in error due to similar names) . We also see the name Alan Roberts pop up as well. See video clip here.  Note that clip …

1928 – Phil the Radio Dog a.k.a. “Philidog” – Henri Piraux (French)

This is what everyone’s been waiting for – new and more detailed information on “Philidog” by Henri Piraux (sometimes Henry Piraux, of Philips France). One of the articles to be presented tells us that the dog has gone through a bit of an evolution. Unfortunately I’ve been unable to get a date of the original incarnation.  …