a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Patent number: 1221970 . See full patent details here. Filing date: Feb 20, 1917 Issue date: Apr 10, 1917 Fort Wayne News 01 May 1917 p6 THE WALKING DOLLS. Harry Coleman of New Palace to Make Them a Fad. Harry Coleman's convict clad walking doll is going to have a lot of sisters and brothers …
Read More “1917 – Coleman’s Walking Dummy – Harry Coleman (British/American)”
The picture below clearly shows the foot positioning for bicycle pedals. Photographs are shown also of Mr. Sam Barton, the British vaudeville artist, astride his mechanical horse. From San Antonio Light 4 December 1932 Everybody knows the advantages of the automobile over the horse, but why should Sam Barton fancy Unit there is "any …
Read More “1932 – Mechanical Horse ( Bicycle ) – Sam Barton (U.K.)”
Years ago when I was searching the patents database the long, hard way (Google patents has made it all sooo much easier and quicker), I came across this wonderful looking Mechanical Walker / Unicycle. I just love the concept and the fine illustrations. Steam punkers will enjoy this one as well. I don't believe it …
Read More “1904 – Mechanical Walker Human Powered Unicycle – Crosse – (American)”
Update: 4 July 2010: A more recent discovery has it that, in fact, Thomas J. Winans was the inventor of the Steam Man, actually called "Steam King". Eno and a Newspaper were third share investors, and later custodians of the steam wagon. See article text below giving full description of the "Steam King". Update: 2 July …
Read More “1869 – “Steam King” Steam Man – Winans / Eno – (American)”
I’m afraid I don’t have too much info on this one, but here it is anyway….. New Castle News 01 Aug 1894 p7 Result of a Vision. An old gentleman named Gross of Beaver, who travels over the country sharpening saws was in town Tuesday and told of a wonderful invention he has perfected. It …