a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
(no image yet located)l New Zealand Evening Post 3 Dec 1904. Lovers of the mysterious will welcome a new item which has been added to the programme of the London Hippodrome (says an exchange). It is called "Zutka, the Mysterious," and whether "Zutka" is a living person or a dummy is a problem which must …
(Images from Scientific American article Jan 13, 1906) January 13, 1906 edition of Scientific American. A CLEVER MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL AUTOMATON. An interesting, novel, and pseudo-scientific attraction has recently been entertaining London audiences at the Hippodrome variety theater. This is a cleverly-constructed figure which apparently walks and writes automatically. It is called Enigmarelle," and is seemingly …
Read More “1904 – Enigmarelle – Alba Root / Frederick Ireland”
(Source: LA Herald 21 March 1906) Phroso appeared in Wisconsin in 1905: "'What is it anyway?' This is the question that is being asked by those who attended the performances at the Bijou theater and saw the act 'Phroso, the Mechanical Doll.' Phroso certainly is a puzzle, whether man or automaton. He or It is a …
Read More “1903 – “Phroso the Mechanical Doll” – Frederick Trevallion (British/French)”
The Maitland Mercury 3 Jun 1882 p5 AN AUTOMATON SWINDLE. A strange prosecution for fraud has just been concluded at Vienna, the defendant being the proprietor of an automaton known as "King-Foo." The whole Court, from Kaiser Francis Joseph to the young princesses, has been delighted with King-Foo's marvellous performances, and the journals have been …
Fubar D. Robot – Futuristic Uranium Bio Atomic Robot. I don't know who built Fubar. He's still in active use. As at 2010, he's 31 years old! Fubar full of humor, puns, glitz By LORIE McCREA For The Alton Telegraph 2 Sept 1986. Fubar looks like a cross between Groucho Marx and a futurislic vacuum cleaner, …
Read More “1979 – Fubar D. Robot a.k.a. “Foobie” – (American)”