A couple decades after the
first appearance of Steam Men in the 19th century, and a few years after the
word "robot" was coined, one Professor Harry May from London
toured around the US with Alpha the robot. The one ton mechanical man was
built from a combination of modern inventions that granted Alpha certain skills, from
product model and
vocal promoter of the automatic electric toaster, to gunslinger. The problem with giving Alpha a gun was that
the robot revolted (PDF,
via), shooting his master and creator in 1932. After this incident,
Alpha became Mary Ann (
via), complete with new hair, a dress, and a soprano voice.
posted by filthy light thief
on Aug 12, 2010 -
16 comments
