Thursday, January 28, 2010

Who was the first robot to appear in the movies?

1897:Gugusse et l'Automate/The Clown and the Automaton

In this lost film by Georges Méliès, a small wind up toy is magically brought to life by a clown. It grows to life size and pursues hijinks with the clown. 

The Automaton does not have a known name but this is the first known appearance of a robot in a motion picture.


The first robot to appear in a motion picture with a "known" name is Coppelia. 

1900:Coppelia ou la Poupee Animee

Also directed by Georges Méliès, Coppelia is a life size dancing doll so beautiful that a man falls in love with it.