1958 – Conditional Probability Computer / Trolley – Uttley / Andrew (English)

 Fig. 2 of New Scientist article Alex Andrew graduated in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University, Scotland, then joined the Departments of Physiology and Psychological Medicine there. Part of this time was spent on leave of absence with Warren McCulloch’s group in MIT. Work in Glasgow was largely on electronic instrumentation for neurophysiology, and …

1932 – George Robot – Capt. W.H. Richards (British)

 The 1932 George Robot by Capt. William H.Richards is an improved version of the 1928 Eric Robot. There is also a later 1952 version named Robert Robot with a different head, but I have no record of who owned and operated Robert Robot back then [1].    The 1932 head is more sculptured, rounded than the later, more …

1950-1 – Maze Runner – Ian P. Howard (England)

  Ian P. Howard with his Maze Runner (Photo supplied by Ian P. Howard – April 2008)  Note the novel use of hexagonal tiles to give the branched track. Prof. Dr. Ian P. Howard Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology and Biology Founder of the Centre for Vision Research York University Canada Biography (by Prof. Dr. …

1930 – Sheet Metal Man – F.J. Edwards (English)

from Simpsons' Daily Leader-Times 12 Mar 1930 p9 With the increasing replacement of men by machins, the laborer in the future may look something like the grotesque figure shown in the above photo. This mechanical "robot" man attracted .considerable attention at the" British Industrial Fair held recently at Birmingham, England. The sign reads: "More output …

1928 – Rupert I & II – (English)

Rupert I – 1928 Rupert was built as a mechanical representation of major organs of a human.  The Popular Science [Apr 1929] article suggests it was built by British schoolboys.    Rupert II – 1929 (re-modelled innards) from Popular Science Apr 1929 p58 Boys Build "Human Engine" in Study of Anatomy USING two furnaces for the stomach. …