a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Brunton's Traveller was constructed by the Butterley Company in Derbyshire in 1813 by William Brunton (1777–1851). Also known as the "Steam Horse" it had a pair of mechanical legs, with feet that gripped the rails at the rear of the engine to push it forwards at about three miles an hour.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SIR GOLDSWORTHY GURNEY Chapter 5: INVENTING THE STEAM CARRIAGE p77 In 1824 David Gordon tried again with "an arrangement of machinery, by which an action similar to horses' feet could be obtained." Six jointed iron legs, fitted with feet, were connected by brass joints, straps, and keys to a set …
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Partial cut-away of Sidewinder. I used to have a copy from an early Annual, but alas, now long gone. If someone has a copy to send I'd be most grateful. Sidewinder (from Wikipedia) A military walking vehicle which appeared in the 1965 episode "Pit of Peril". It resembles a giant lobster. Powered by an atomic …
The Visions of Ron Herron – Reyner Banham – Architectural Monographs No. 38 1994 THAT MOST FAMOUS OF ALL IMAGES to come out of Archigram, the most frequently reproduced and the longest-lived, the canonical version of 'Cities Walking', is seen in flat elevation. There are other versions, invading New York and so forth, but it …
Some more photos of W. Grey Walter and his Tortoises. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy …