a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Humaniform automatons, mechanical men, robots covering late 19th century and the 20th century
Hugo Gernsback contributed significantly to the advancement of new technologies, such as Automaton and Robots. He was responsible for some of the greatest technical magazines published, and published many articles himself. In this case, he predicts and describes a radio controlled police automaton in his magazine "Science & Invention" May 1924. This automation is referred to …
Read More “1924 – Radio Police Automaton – Gernsback (American)”
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 …
Read More “1923-8 – Robot – Capt. Alban J. Roberts (New Zealand/Australia/U.K.)”
The name "Kaiser" comes from the title of a video clip found at British Pathe here. Its actual name is not known at this time. WORKING MODEL OF THE KAISER Captain Alban J. Roberts – mobile, light-operated automaton 1920's (responsible for robots attributed to Jasper Maskelyne (music halls) and occasionally incorrectly attributed to Capt W. H. …
Read More “1920 – “The Kaiser” Mechanical Man – Capt. Alban J. Roberts (New Zealand/Australia/U.K.)”
At this point in time I am unable to locate an image for Belcher’s Miss Automaton. In the mean time, here are some interesting transcripts from period newspapers. The Waterloo Evening Courier 30 Aug 1911p1 Belcher Automaton AUTOMATON WALKS, TALKS AND WRITES Boston. Mass, Aug. 30.-—John W. Belcher of Newton has created an automaton, a …
1909 – Occultus -also Barbarossa [redbeard] Very little is known other than a weird photo and article on an automaton / robot named "Occultus" recently exhibited in Berlin by a man named Whitman. Its quite probable that Occultus can't perform all the functions he's purported to do, but possibly some of them, so I haven't yet …