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1939 World's Fair robot echoes modern AI hype, author notes

A historical account draws parallels between the current hype surrounding artificial intelligence and the promotion of Elektro, a robot exhibited at the 1939 World's Fair. Elektro, built by robotics pioneers, was marketed by Westinghouse to enhance their brand image, a strategy that the author suggests is reminiscent of modern AI marketing. The author shared images and a video, highlighting the cyclical nature of technological enthusiasm. AI

IMPACT Historical parallels suggest that current AI enthusiasm may mirror past technological hype cycles.

RANK_REASON The item is a personal reflection and historical comparison, not a primary news event.

Read on Mastodon — fosstodon.org →

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1939 World's Fair robot echoes modern AI hype, author notes

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  1. Mastodon — fosstodon.org TIER_1 English(EN) · [email protected] ·

    Tuesday, I was in Mansfield, Ohio, eating at the Coney Island. Above me was a big poster of a robot at the 1939 worlds fair, I took a picture. Back home, I look

    Tuesday, I was in Mansfield, Ohio, eating at the Coney Island. Above me was a big poster of a robot at the 1939 worlds fair, I took a picture. Back home, I looked it up. And funny, it's eerily similar to the current # ai hype. Except 88 years ago. Elektro was a machine built by r…