a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Not so well known is that there were two main types of R2-D2's in the original Star Wars space opera. The models operated by Kenny Baker, the other a radio-controlled (R/C) model. Visually the main difference is the Kenny Baker model only ever had two legs, and the R/C version had three, although the single …
Read More “1975-6 – R2-D2 (from Star Wars) – John Stears (British)”
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)”
Text below from Syd Mead's book SENTINEL The four-legged, gyro-balanced, walking cargo vehicle shown on pages 80-81 is from the US Steel Interface portfolio series [published in 1969 – see image below]. The environment is arctic and the mission is to deliver goods and critical supplies to an isolated exploratory colony beyond the DEWline. Like …
Read More “1969 – Walking Cargo Vehicle – Syd Mead (American)”