a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
On July 28, 1950, Frank Stuart gave his first public outing of his man-made walking elephant, walking the roads of Essex with a load of children in its howdah. This robot “Jumbo” is the remarkable invention by Mr. Frank Stuart, a theatrical mask maker and scenic artist. About two years earlier, when watching donkeys on the …
Read More “1949-50 – Mechanical Elephant – Frank Stuart (British)”
Nellie the mechanical elephant was purchased for 1,500 pounds by Edward Hayward during a trip to England, and brought home to feature in the John Martin's Christmas pageant. At the time, Nellie was claimed to be the only full-sized mechanical elephant in the world. There is some video on this 1950 parade with the elephant. …
Read More “1950 – “Nellie” the Mechanical Elephant – in Australia built by Frank Stuart”
The diagrammatic view of the 1950-1 Maze-solving Mouse built by Claude A. Shannon. Claude Shannon knew Edmund C. Berkeley quite well. Berkeley had two young associates working part-time with him on his early robots, by the names of Ivan and Bert Sutherland. Ivan was soon to have Claude Shannon as his Thesis supervisor. Berkeley was keen …
Read More “1950 – Maze-Solving Mouse – Claude Shannon (American)”
In the pulp magazine "Astounding Science Fiction" of August, 1950, J. J. Coupling (Pseudonym) wrote an article titled "How To Build A Thinking Machine". It used a trial and error approach, using a maze as an example. There is no evidence to date that suggests it was ever realized. The article is quite interesting in that Coupling …
Read More “1950 – Maze Solver – J. J. Coupling (John Pierce) – (American)”
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. …