a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
zig – 1965 – styrofoam, motors. Above: Float. 1967. Osaka-1, Expo '70 Robert Breer Born in Detroit, 1926. 1949, after graduation from Stanford University (where he won the annual printing award), moved to Paris. Exhibited in group shows there at the Denise René Gallery from 1950 to 1955, and in 1955 participated …
Read More “1965-70 – Mobile Sculptures – Robert Breer (American)”
Todd's paper is very readable. See pdf here. Note that although referred to as a "train", Todd appears to have only built one. So the original "train" aspects have been lost. Its interesting to note that "BigDog" does have the concept for a "train", where the lead dog follows its human master, and other 'dogs' …
Read More “1990 – Iron Mule Train – Revisited by D.J. Todd (American)”
The images here from the book "Industrial Light & Magic". I located this interview given by Joe Johnston, who worked for ILM during the production of Star Wars. BTL = Below The Line Former Industrial Light and Magic art director Joe Johnston became a feature film director over 20 years ago when he came aboard …
Read More “1980 – AT-AT (Star Wars) – Joe Johnston (American)”
from Popular Mechanics , June 1934 STILT CYCLE HAS TWO LEGS INSTEAD OF WHEELS Wooden legs replace the wheels on a stilt cycle made by a Los Angeles man who proudly boasts that he can now sit down while walking. The two legs are pedaled like a bicycle, the rider balancing on a seat at …
Earlier 1976 version sans stereo cameras. See a few seconds of McGhee's OSU Hexapod in motion in my walking machine compilation video clip. Stop Press! 20 Oct 2010: Just found fabulous footage of this walker plus others. 50meg download. mp4 runs for 16 mins. see here. McGhee used Electric drill's to power the legs, similar …