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Charlie
took this 2003 picture of the robot gang. Except for three tin models
dating from the '60s, all of the robots shown here came out after the
Lost in Space movie in 1998, leading to a new millenium of great robots.
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From the past to the
future.
Robot
collecting is a hobby for every budget, with robots available from the
price of a haircut to the cost of a car.
Above left:
Robot Lilliput, a wind-up robot from Japan, circa
1939, is believed to have been the first toy robot. Mint with box, it
went for $2,000 in 1999. The above shown green variation released
through Schilling was available in 2008 for less than $20. Repros were
also made in the original orange. With Lilliput is a mini Robosapien
from Radio Shack, symbolizing the future of robotics a half century
later. Robosapien, invented by Mark Tilden for Wow Wee Toys, used his
BEAM technology (Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, Mechanics),
and was arguably one of the first affordable robots to cross the line
from a toy to a fully interactive robot.
Above right: Yonezawa Smoking
Spaceman, an all- time classic robot from 1960 could fetch $3500
with a mint box in 1969. But HaHa Toys created affordable repros in
2007 that sold for under $100.
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Above left: Chief Robotman
was one of a variety of battery operated 'skirted' robots that included
Masudaya's Gang
of Five. Yoshiya's 1959 creation was the perfect robot, with a turning
head, spinning antennae, lit top light and mysterious "bump and go"
action. Mint in box in 1999, it went for $2500. Design variations
included Cragstan's Radical Robot, Chief Smokey, Mighty Robot, and
Mystery Moon Man. Color variations were also introduced in 1960. The
robot shown is a repro of Chief Robot Man made in 2007 by Ha Ha Toys.
The first 2007 version was silver, followed by this blue variant.
On his left and right are two bonafide robots from the 'fifties. On the
left, Hook Robot by Waco, in the rare silver/ blue variation. A small
hook stuck out of the back of his head (not shown). He was friction,
and when pushed, his head moved from side to side. On the right
is Atom Robot by Yoshiya. He had a crank in the bank, and once revved
up would move rapidly with "bump and go" "mystery" action.
Above right: The box for Ha
Ha Toys' Chief Robot Man duplicates the feel of the Yoshiya original.
Unlike the box picture, the eyes don't actually light up, although the
top lamp does. This well- made, battery -operated, metal robot is
otherwise an exact replica and sold retail in 2008 for around $70 at
Robot Island (see links).
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Above
left. Real battery-operated tin robots had been unknown
for
thirty years when Rocket USA introduced R-1 for the new millenium. At
over a foot tall, this skirted, colorfully-lithographed giant's eyes
and ears flashed while it made mechanical sounds and sped around the
floor with bump-and-go action--all kinds of classic robot stuff, and
still about $40 retail. R-1 came in blue or gray versions, with a red
model available through the Red Toy Company, a yellow "rescue" version,
and in a limited edition bare-metal Millenium model.
Above right.
While lacking the detailing of its predecessors, R-1
nevertheless is an impressive robot, its eyes and ears blazing from an
internal lamp, as shown here. Many were made and sold, and this popular
robot is still affordable and available.
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