Smokin' Robots! Elektro-To-Hit-The-Road-Again--

[beamjockey]

NPR informs us that "America's First Celebrity Robot Is Staging A Comeback."

A replica of Elektro, Westinghouse's bronzed spokesman from the 1939 New York World's Fair, will be touring the nation soon. The original Elektro is safe in the Mansfield Museum in Mansfield, Ohio.

No word on his faithful robocanine companion, Sparko.

Comments

[planettom]

But is he still a smoker?

I was just watching the 2010 BBC 6-part series WALLACE & GROMIT'S WORLD OF INVENTION, and they had a similar story of a Royal Air Force guy who'd built a robot in 1950 and then just a few years ago got it out of his garage and restored it.

[derekl1963]

That was my first thought too... "I bet he doesn't smoke any more".

[stickmaker]

I heard that segment on Elektro and the replica on last evening's _All Things Considered_.

I knew of Elektro previously, and recall at least one person who worked with "him" said the robot occasionally did what he pleased rather than what he was told to do. (Wonder if Asimov knew about that. :-)

[serge_lj]

I for one welcome our restored Evil Robot Overlords.

[icecreamempress]

I loved that segment, especially the interview with the son of the original's creator.