Robots Answer All Questions

HOW England’s mechanical men work was recently explained. A youngster wishing to know the location of a restaurant sees one of the mechanical men on a street corner. Approaching him, he presses a button on his tummy. Almost instantly lights stare from under the steel man’s heavy eyebrows and a deep voice booms out, “What do you want to know?”

The youth startled, stutters, “Ppplease, where can I find a restaurant?”

“Three blocks and turn to your right,” the answer comes.

Bewildered, the boy follows directions and, sure enough, walks straight into a restaurant.

What has happened is this: When the youth pushed the button on the man’s stomach a light showed in front of a man in a control room some distance away. He immediately “plugged in” on the steel man from which the signal came. Conversation was possible by a microphone connection.

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Mechanical Monsters that Live and Breathe

by BENNETT LINCOLN

When the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals steps in to prevent the mistreatment of a papier mache elephant, the modeler of that elephant can consider himself an artist with a capital A. This article tells you of the world’s most amazing studio, in which lifelike creatures, from spiders to prehistoric monsters which walk, eat, and breathe, are manufactured by skilled artists and mechanics.
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ROBOT mower cuts grass within signal-wire perimeter around lawn. It automatically turns around when it hits wire. Quiet, virtually maintenance-free, battery-powered unit random cuts up to 7,000 sq. ft. on one charge; $795.

MowBot. Inc., North Tonawanda. N. Y. 14120

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Robbie and Gronk Mobile Robots

By Keith Paul

What good is it, or what can it do? These were the most frequently asked questions while ‘Robbie’ the robot was on display at Bell Canada’s recent ‘open house’ held to celebrate the opening of their new 24-story Regional Headquarters building in Toronto. ‘Robbit,’ a tall conical shaped robot (Photo 1), and ‘Gronk,’ the shorter cylindrical machine (Photo 2), are the two robots which John Hughes and myself built over the past year.
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Be sure to check out Part 1.

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Antique Mechanical Computers Part 2: 18th and 19th Century Mechanical Marvels

Dr James M Williams
58 Trumbull St
New Haven CT 06510

In “Part 1: Early Automata,” page 48, July 1978 BYTE, we traced the development of antique mechanical computers up to the middle of the 18th century, and described such devices as Vaucanson’s mechanical duck. Now we continue with a discussion of talking, writing and music playing automata of the 18th and 19th centuries. (The discussion is not meant to be an exhaustive one, of course, since that would be beyond the scope of this series.) Later Automata.
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Antique Mechanical Computers – Part 1: Early Automata

Dr James M Williams
58 Trumbull St
New Haven CT 06510

My purpose in writing these articles is to remind computer enthusiasts that there is a high technology in every age, not just our own. Described herein are some of the stellar accomplishments of earlier times. The technology of electronics is merely the latest link in a continuous chain of technological developments spanning 20,000 years. Before that, there was a mechanical technology.

Part 1 of this three part series describes some highlights in the development of automata up to the 18th century. Part 2 continues with 18th and 19th century developments, and part 3 concludes with a description of Torres’ 1911 chess automaton.
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Philadelphia’s 179 Year Old Android

Charles F Penniman
The Franklin Institute
Philadelphia PA 19103

Cuckoo clocks, computers and dolls with rolling eyes somehow fascinate us all. The fascination seems to stem from our delight that people can make contraptions which do things by contrivance that are usually done by living men and beasts. But whatever the reason for it, we find animated statues in ancient China and in the temples of classical Greece. In Europe, the clockmakers of the Renaissance often adorned their works with marvelous moving figures. The famous tower clocks of Berne and Messina and the remarkable clock in the Cathedral at Strasbourg are just a few examples. Read the rest of this entry »

Merkin is a pretty unfortunate brand name…

HOW TO GET A PERFECT PAINT JOB “AUTOMATICALLY”

Meet the MERKIN Marvel… symbol of the paints that give you perfect results every time. Whether you want to redecorate inside or make your house look new again outside… insist on MERKIN for a perfect paint job… automatically!

People who know paint automatically ask for MERKIN
Perfect Paints for Every Purpose

Write for booklet, “How to Choose and Use Paint.” Please enclose 10c.

M. J. MERKIN PAINT Co., Inc. 1441 Broadway, New York 18

Mechanical Man Amazes ‘Frisco
A MECHANICAL man almost nine feet tall is frequently seen parading the streets of San Francisco. He talks, he walks, he sings songs, and he tells amazed pedestrians all about the local movie shows.

This robot, however, is all a delusion and a snare. In truth, he is not a robot at all, but a real man all dressed up in a metal suit, who “talks” through a big loud speaker mouth.

Mechanical Wonder Man Is Operated By Radio Control

“ROBIE,” a mechanical robot walks, talks, smokes and winks his eyes when electrical impulses are transmitted to his “radio” brain. The unusual animated character is the work of Arthur Wilson, of Chicago, Illinois. More than a year’s work and the assistance of three men were required to perfect the robot which is constructed of sheet metal and wood. Read the rest of this entry »

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From Steam Engines to Robots… The Hierarchies of Robotic Devices

By F. W. Chesson

The defining of just what constitutes a robot has been dimmed by anthropological bias, or the impediment of seeing the robotic scene through Human-Colored glasses. That shambling and amiable tin-man traveler, on the Yellow Brick Road to Oz may be far more acceptable to the viewer than the most complex but immobile logic device. Consequently, there’s the rub … or byte! When does a computer become a robot brain? Read the rest of this entry »

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The History of Robots

By Forest J. Ackerman

This article is excerpted from a record made by the author. Consequently, to enjoy it to its utmost, turn off all the lights but one, sit back in your easy chair and read. As you read, you will find yourself being taken on a fantastic journey into the world of robots.
—Editor

Hello, this is Forrest Ackerman, Editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland and Spacemen. I’ve heard from thousands and thousands of you fans since the world’s original film monster magazine began in 1958, and many’s the time I wished that I was the beast with a million eyes — in order to read all your letters quicker. Well, having heard from all of you, it seems only fair — doesn’t it — that you should hear from all of me.
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