a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Humaniform automatons, mechanical men, robots covering late 19th century and the 20th century
It appears as if Yasutaro Mitsui's Steel Humanoid robot is the first known Japanese robot in humanoid form. With the post author not being able to read nor write in Japanese, it makes it difficult to research. The image also appears in Haruki Inoue's 1993 book Nihon Robotto Soseiki 1920-1938. I suspect the electrical devices and valves …
Read More “1930c – Steel Humanoid Robot – Yasutaro Mitsui (Japanese)”
Above: Mr. 'Rastus Robot, the most lifelike of mechanical men, conducting a conversation with S. M. Kintner, assistant vice-president of the Westinghouse Co., Mr. Robot needs some prompting, it is true; that is given by the flashlight in his interlocutor's right hand, which controls the "sound-on-film" conversation previously rehearsed. Here we have 'Rastus playing the …
Read More “1930 – Rastus Robot & Willie Jr. – Thomas / Kintner (Westinghouse) (American)”
Targeting a different market audience, Westinghouse produced a female version of Herbert Televox. Katrina was based on the second model that ran sound tapes, and appeared between May 1930 through April 1931. Note that only the wallboard cutout is different, and I suppose the voice tapes were of a female voice as well. from Kerrville Mountain …
Read More “1930 – Katrina Van Televox – Westinghouse (American)”
The above image is sourced from : http://www.circusmuseum.nl/eng/ search under Wendling Collectie Circusarchief Jaap Best Tekst achterzijde foto Televox. Der Maschinen Mensch. Erfinder: Ing. Eugène Wendling. 1930. Grand Hotel et surselva Waldhaus-Films Jaar vervaardiging 1930 Personen Wending, Eugène *Not to be confused with Wensley's Herbert Televox in America. from Chapius Droz book AUTOMATA There is …
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 …