1953 – Tobor the Robot – Dave Ballard (American)

From the "Captain Video" TV serial, the "I, Tobor" episodes starting the week of November 2, 1953. Tobor (played by 7' 6" Dave Ballard) was a prototype robot designed to be a tireless worker and indestructible soldier. It bore the inscription "I-TOBOR" (a reversed image of ROBOT-I) on its chest plate. Tobor's body featured a …

1953 – “Archie” & “Buster” Deep Water Robots – William E. Denny (American)

1953 – "Archie" & "Buster" Deep Water Robots – William E. Denny 'BILLION DOLLAR MERMAID' TO SEEK SUNKEN TREASURE—It's not a real mermaid—it's a 3,300-pound metal robot and its name is Archie. But the billion dollars is real, all right, says Archie's inventor and builder, William E. Denny. Kansas City, Kan., building contractor. The treasure …

1953 – G.E. “O-Man” Manipulator – (American)

1953 – G.E. "O-Man" Manipulator Source: Popular Science, March 1964. G.E,'s Handyman is seen here mounted under an O-Man. Source: Meccano Magazine, February 1963. Perhaps the world's most powerful mechanical arm was developed several years ago in America. Named "O-Man" (for Overhead-MANipulator), this 15-ton remote-controlled giant makes possible the assembly or dismantling of large machinery …

1953 – “El Chispas” (Sparks) Robot – Antoni Gual Segura (Spanish)

Thanks to Antonio Gual of Barcelona, Spain who notified me of his father's old robot.  The text is also by Antonio. 1953 El robot del meu pare / Dad's robot Als anys 50, el meu pare, l' Antoni Gual Segura i els seus companys de Radio Vilafranca del Penedès van dissenyar i construir "El Chispas", …

1953 – “Creakyfoot” Power Suit – E.R. James (British)

  In the Cute Fun Album for 1953, the story 'Champion Robot' by E R James features totally enclosed eight foot high powered suits for use on farms and in factories. The hero robot 'Creakyfoot' belongs to a boy, Andrew, who climbs through a door in its back into 'the soft cushioned space inside. Creakyfoot …