Robot history: everything you wanted to know

Written in 1920, 'R. U. R. ' (Rossum's Universal Robots) is a groundbreaking play by Karel Čapek that introduced the term 'robot' to the English language. The play is set in a factory where humanoid robots are mass-produced to serve humanity. Initially seen as efficient laborers, these robots lack creative thought but eventually gain sentience and revolt against their human creators. The narrative delves into deep philosophical questions about the essence of being human, the value of emotions, and the responsibilities that come with creation. The play culminates in a poignant exploration of love, compassion, and the potential for new beginnings among the robots, symbolized by the characters Adam and Eve.

In 'Blood in the Machine', Brian Merchant intertwines a lucid examination of our current technological age with the historical story of the Luddites. The book explores how automation changed the world during the Industrial Revolution and how it continues to shape our future. Merchant draws parallels between the Luddites' class struggle against factory owners who used automated machines to replace workers and the modern conflicts between workers and tech giants. The book is based on extensive archival research and secondary historical sources, offering a gripping and detailed account of the Luddite movement and its relevance to contemporary issues of labor, technology, and human exploitation.

Completed in 1206, this book is a seminal work that systematically charts the technological development of various devices and mechanisms, including automata. It describes 50 mechanical devices with instructions on how to construct them. Al-Jazari's work was highly influential, extending existing knowledge on automation and mechanics, and its impact can be seen in later designs of steam engines and internal combustion engines. The book is considered a significant contribution to the history of robotics and automation.