# Red-eyed robots **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 29, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246 "2026-10-29T21:22:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/21 "2026-10-30T18:37:39Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > “Red Eyed Robots” > Band name. First one of these that rings true. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/22 "2026-10-30T18:50:21Z")
Since it is a trope that says death causes the deceased to acquire supernatural abilities, I always assumed it was a choice made by the zombie. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/23 "2026-10-30T20:17:08Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Yes, I’ve always assumed the default robot eyes were red (and, perhaps, that the default science fiction robot was evil?). Turns out it’s surprisingly recent. For my robot book I tried to find every pulp, digest, and paperback cover pre-Jetsons with a robot. Out of the 100 or so in my files the ones I posted are the only ones I found. My guess is that _Terminator_ popularized the trope. Most pulp robots were evil. That changed with the beginning of Eando Binder’s Adam Link stories in 1939. Adam was an intelligent, civilized robot that ran into fear and prejudice from humans and worked hard to overcome them. Binder influenced Asimov to write “Strange Playfellow,” later renamed “Robbie.” (Asimov did not want his robot collection to be called I, Robot. Who did the naming - either his agent or his publisher - is disputed.) After Binder the majority of robots in prose science fiction were friendly helpers, but some occasionally ran amok or took human jobs or were used in warfare. Few of the monster movies of the 50s used robots as foes either. The cybernauts in the 1960s Avengers tv show were evil but looked human and that applied through the Terminator series. Saved a lot of money that way in costumes and effects. Exactly when and why that flipped is something I probably should know, but my guess it happened after it became cheap to do metal monsters. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/24 "2026-10-30T20:38:49Z")
One notable departure is the character of GIR from _Invader Zim_. He is portrayed as a “defective” robot who is, for all intents and purposes, insane. His eyes and other lights (shoulders, wrists, chest) are normally blue. [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQoQrBw3dHUZT2dZkhZnFfaJz4UtRU3CKYawAp0skueuZfoisYNlLjZJww&s=10) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQoQrBw3dHUZT2dZkhZnFfaJz4UtRU3CKYawAp0skueuZfoisYNlLjZJww&s=10) Every now and then, they turn red, but he’s not turning evil but rather turning competent. Sort of like a malfunctioning appliance that has temporarily been “jolted” into repair. [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_l3gXono0-EHjban6bUrq1sdAUSNpkols1GFxZ4-cYQ&s=10) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_l3gXono0-EHjban6bUrq1sdAUSNpkols1GFxZ4-cYQ&s=10) Granted, he is sort of turning evil, because the whole point of being on Earth is to support Zim’s efforts to conquer the planet. But it’s not like he does something evil when he goes into this mode; they are just temporary moments of lucidity where he is able to properly follow commands. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/25 "2026-10-30T20:43:12Z")
A blue-eyed robot from 1968; the cover of Ted Hughes’ _The Iron Man_ [![](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/childrensbooks/images/1/1b/The_Iron_Man.jpg) ](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/childrensbooks/images/1/1b/The_Iron_Man.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/26 "2026-10-30T20:51:46Z")
A.k.a. _The Iron Giant_ in North America. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/27 "2026-10-30T21:43:52Z")
Have I got news for you [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News\_of\_the\_World\_(album)#/media/File:Queen\_News\_Of\_The\_World.png](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_of_the_World_(album)#/media/File:Queen_News_Of_The_World.png) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/28 "2026-10-30T21:45:51Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/29 "2026-10-30T21:57:40Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News\_of\_the\_World\_(album)#/media/File:Queen\_News\_Of\_The\_World.png](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_of_the_World%5C_(album)#/media/File:Queen_News_Of_The_World.png) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ea/Queen_News_Of_The_World.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ea/Queen_News_Of_The_World.png) This robot even has a red finger! (Red with blood.) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/30 "2026-10-30T22:24:30Z")
I looked at the original (Astounding Oct. 1953) and the eye color is at most a very light red around the iris. What stands out for me is that the robot has irises! That’s rarer than redness. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/31 "2026-10-31T00:26:30Z")
> [@Scoobysnax](#): > > That could be the reason why. The first LEDs to produce visible light were red. I was thinking that was probably it, but the Beverly Cleary cite Kimstu found predates the invention of the visible LED by five years. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/32 "2026-10-31T03:24:32Z")
Henry Bates’s [1940 novelette _Farewell to the Master_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farewell_to_the_Master) (filmed as 1951’s _The Day the Earth Stood Still_) has a giant alien metal robot with [_”strange, internally illuminated red eyes”_.](http://www.digital-eel.com/blog/library/Farewell_to_the_Master.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/33 "2026-10-31T03:41:51Z")
As opposed to absolutely normal internally illuminated red eyes, of course. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/34 "2026-10-31T09:02:06Z")
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4hLTBikZbk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4hLTBikZbk) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/35 "2026-10-31T21:05:34Z")
Nice find. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/36 "2026-10-31T22:56:58Z")
Good thing this total non-robot has benevolent, creamy off-white eyes. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/pgQ8ewa.png?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/ObzRWk4) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/37 "2026-11-01T15:42:15Z")
In the animated version, the eyes turn red when he goes into “gun” mode. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/38 "2026-11-01T15:47:49Z")
Well, this one’s eyes start out blue… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/gupSBX7S9_k/maxresdefault.jpg "The Inventor's Wife - SNL") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gupSBX7S9_k) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/39 "2026-11-01T15:51:45Z")
They stopped featuring standard red eyes in robots to conceal [their intrinsically evil nature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-like-the-hospital-robot/285954). ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246/40 "2026-11-01T16:23:59Z")
The Mechanical Monsters vs Superman in 1941 had one big red eye each; [![](https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.n-iH2AQy8CtLZxKj6YMdUAHaFi?r=0&rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain&o=7&rm=3) ](https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.n-iH2AQy8CtLZxKj6YMdUAHaFi?r=0&rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain&o=7&rm=3) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-eyed-robots/1034246.md?page=3)