1958 – Sparky the Robot Pup – Gaylord Welker (American)

"Sparky" the Robot Pup appeared in Dec 1958-Jan 1959 issues of Popular Electronics. Full pdf here Sparky the Robot Pup PE Dec 1958-Jan 1959.   HOW IT WORKS When main switch S1 is closed, all relays stay in their unactivated position and power is supplied only to the drive motor (M2) and "eye" lights. The …

1958 – Cyber the Dog – A.H. Bruinsma (Philips) (Netherlands)

A.H. Bruinsma  Roboter Schaltungen  Orig 1958 German edition, Eng translation 1965.  Actually called “Cyber” (pronounced Seeber).  These books are Philips publications, and I think Bruinsma worked for Philips. Notes: 1. Anne Hendrik Bruinsma is probably more well known for his work in Radio-control. (I previously thought Anne was a female name, but can be Male in …

1958 – Machina Reproducatrix – Angyan (Hungarian)

The model seen here is  Dr. Andre  (Andrew) John Angyan's first cybernetic model, Machine Reproducatrix, built in Budapest, Hungary.  It very much follows the Grey Walter tortoise in terms of construction and function (of CORA – Machina Docilis).  His later machines, constructed by Kretz with Zemanek, are the subject of a later post.   Image is from …