Most of us consider robots to be at least the 20th century. Indeed, it was in the past century that they became permanent characters in science fiction novels and people got used to the idea of the imminent mass appearance of artificial beings. But as for the appearance of the first robots, then perhaps the bar of their birthday needs to be pushed deep into the past?
Perfect slave
Back in ancient Greece, people dreamed of artificial slaves. Just imagine how comfortable such a slave is: he is always unquestioningly obedient, he won't say too much to the master, doesn't complain about life, doesn't ask for better working conditions, raise wages, he doesn't need a social package, and doesn't dream of secretly sticking a knife between his ribs.
And to create a fighting robot, an invulnerable cold killer, whose only "I will be back" would plunge enemies into horror - it was just the ultimate dream. The myth of the huge copper Talos became the embodiment of such a dream.
Guardian of Crete Copper Talos
Zeus was born and raised in Crete. Loving the island, he gave it to the inhabitants of the protector - a huge copper giant. Talos patrolled tirelessly along the coast, circling Crete three times a day, frightening off intruders with one look. If a ship, for some unknown reason, was delayed in the roadstead (for example, the passengers decided to take a couple of selfies with the giant in the background), Talos broke off a small piece from the nearest rock and threw it into the ship. If you didn't hit it, then the curious were lucky, but if you hit it …
But one day, Argonauts with a stolen golden fleece sailed past Crete. On Mount Talos, Medea was in the team of the Greek adventurers. It is not for nothing that she is called a witch in the myth of the Argonauts. Without a doubt, the girl possessed knowledge and skills that seemed sorcery to outsiders.
She told Jason "everything will be OK!", And then let the giant sleep. The Argonauts, who crept up to Talos, at Medea's prompting, pulled out a nail from his heel, which blocked the circulatory system, all the blood flowed out of the giant, he died.
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In modern parlance, it looks like this: Medea introduced a virus into the program and caused it to malfunction, and the Argonauts quickly drained the liquid from the mechanical-hydraulic system. If the Cretans did not have a spare tank of "divine blood" or instructions for filling the hydraulic system with fluid, then the giant's "corpse" could then be scrapped.
Design Engineer Hephaestus
Talos was the creation of the fire god Hephaestus. Zeus, although he was a god, did not know how to make such devices. Let it rain, thunderstorm, pestilence on people - that's please, but to create a working mechanism - here one divine power is not enough, you still need to be able to do something with your hands.
For this, Zeus had a design engineer Hephaestus in his retinue. It was he who was engaged in the manufacture of such things, submitting ready-made drawings to the boss for approval, and he only approved the project.
Robots of Hephaestus
In addition to Talos, Hephaestus made robots serving the feasts of the gods. At the request of the Thunderer, Hephaestus forged several dozen artificial servants in the form of self-propelled tripods, driving between tables on small wheels. They obeyed not only a verbal order, but also a mental one. (Modern engineers can only dream of such thought-driven robots.)
It would seem, well, why are they to Zeus? Why couldn't he take mortals or some nymphs as his servants? But if we imagine that this detail of the life of the gods was spied on, everything becomes easy to explain. Take with you on a trip to the ship, where every square is dear. see area and each kg. cargo and service staff … you know, very expensive.
The talented engineer did not forget himself. For personal consumption, Hephaestus forged two gilded girls who supported the lame god during walks, entertained him with singing and dancing, and possessed all kinds of "female knowledge."
This is also quite logical. Sending a team on a long journey without thinking about how its members will solve the problems of loneliness is very, very cruel.
Is it just myths?
The blacksmith Hephaestus and his artificial creations are now unambiguously interpreted as myths. But looking at them to the eyes of a man of the XXI century, you catch yourself thinking that stories about the creation of a blacksmith are very reminiscent of descriptions of real technical products. So maybe they really were?
Author Klim Podkova