a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
The maid remote-controlling the electric floor scrubber. France in the Year 2000 (XXI century) – a series of futuristic pictures by Jean-Marc Côté in France in 1899. Originally in the form of paper cards enclosed in cigarette/cigar boxes, the images depicted the world as it was imagined to be like in the year 2000. Isaac …
In 1955 the U.S. Science-fiction serial Science Fiction Theatre there was an episode called "Time is just a place" where a young couple discovers that their neighbours, who possess a 'sonic broom' and many other technologically advanced household items, are fugitives from the future who have fled to the past to escape an oppressive government. Complete …
The console of HECK with the floor cleaner being activated. Mechanix Illustrated, Nov, 1959 HOW RCA IS PLANNING…. YOUR WORLD OF TOMORROW By James C. G. Conniff [edited version – see full text here.] An automated house with electronic devices that awaken you in the morning, make your bed, prepare your breakfast, clean house and …
Read More “1957 – HECK and Robot Floor Cleaner – Donald G. Moore – RCA / Whirlpool (American)”
The Jetsons live in the year 2062 in a futuristic utopia (100 years in the future at the time of the show's debut) of elaborate robotic contraptions, aliens, holograms, and whimsical inventions. Robotic vacuum cleaner. This console activates the washing, ironing, and vacuuming. Antennas imply radio-control. Image source Paleofuture Rosie with her sweeping and vacuuming …
Read More “1962-3 – The Jetsons Automatic Vacuum Cleaner – Hanna-Barbera (American)”
In the film 'The Glass Bottom Boat', the inventor Bruce Templeton (Rod Taylor) tries to impress Jennifer (Doris Day) with his "Automatic floor-cleaning" robot after dropping banana peel on the kitchen floor. It only manages to pop out of its door to arc towards the dropped banana peel and through reversed footage, arc right back …
Read More “1966 – “The Bug” Floor Cleaning Robot from ‘The Glass Bottom Boat’ – (American)”