The Celebrity Robot of 1938



The idea of robots is not new, but making one work is fairly recent. In 1938, we had no transistors and certainly no microchips, and digital communication was a far away dream. Cutting edge technology was when Westinghouse figured out how to send commands to electronic machines over telephone lines by coded pulses. Strangely, Westinghouse built that feature into demonstration robot bodies in the 1920s. But they were nothing compared to the humanoid robot that the company debuted in 1938 at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City.

Elektro the robot was a wonder to all who saw him. He was able to perform 26 human actions ("tricks") including walking, talking, counting, blowing up balloons, and smoking a cigarette. Elektro made quite a splash and was was taken out on the road after World War II to promote Westinghouse products. He was even in a movie in the '50s. You might wonder how a robot did all that without transistors or microchips. He wasn't a person inside a costume, but there was a lot of what we today might call mechanical shenanigans going on inside. However, even if all Elektro's abilities were explained to the audience at the World's Fair, they would still be impressed. Read how Elektro really worked at Today I Found Out.


Comments (2)

Newest 2
Newest 2 Comments

When I quit, I drove my company car several hundred miles north from central England to northern Scotland and left it there, posting the keys back to the boss. It took two people 2 days to get it back - a 10 hour drive both ways, 2 people because the return journey involved the extra car.

Gestures such as these give you a huge amount of satisfaction :o)
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
that is AWESOME!!! i've done one or two pretty entertaining "quittings" in my time, but this one is MILES above anything i ever did!! it's as close to job-quitting perfection as i think you could get (and based on the story, totally justified in my mind), and i'd love to buy this guy a beer!!! FANTASTIC!!!
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Email This Post to a Friend
"The Celebrity Robot of 1938"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More