Magnamo - the 1954 robotic teacher assistant

 


Dissapointed with his first-year performance as a general science teacher at Hamilton Shcool in Wichita, Kan., Bill Allen figured that what he most needed was something to stimulate his pupils' interest. In his garage workshop he gathered together a chemical drum and a paint can, some scraps of wood, wire, assorted pulleys and a couple of electric motors. Drawing on his knowledge of mechanics and electricity, he wired them together, creating a homemade robot he named Magnamo.

Magnamo walks on wheels, turns, raises its arms and grabs metals with its magnetized hands.



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images and info provided by the LIFE Magazine / LIFE Magazine International / LIFE Magazine Atlantic ARCHIVE from the Zetu Harrys Collection