Robot:ROBOT No. 8260

Robots have fascinated us since playwright Karel Capek coined the term (from the Czech word for forced labor or serf) in his 1920's play "R.U.R." The notion of a humanoid machine doing the bidding of mankind seemed a natural extension of the technological advances of 19th century. On the dark side, such advances invite a fear of the dehumanization of individuals in a technological civilization. The robot encompasses both the good and bad side of technology, and it is this tension about robots that so enthralls humans.