# Robbie the Robot Started Out Life as a Washing Machine **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372 "2008-03-14T16:07:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/1 "2008-03-14T16:07:55Z")
[And other bizarre sources of inspiration for sci fi.](http://io9.com/367603/eight-of-the-oddest-inspirations-for-the-coolest-science-fiction-machines) > [@](#): > > Robby the Robot, star of 1955 special effects blockbuster\* Forbidden Planet\* and later a main “charater” on the TV show _Lost in Space_, was the creation of legendary production designer Robert Kinoshita. Apparently one of his biggest inspirations for the globular humanoid bot was washing machine tubs. Kinoshita had worked on those before his career in the movies. The comparison sounds strange to us today, until you look back and see what washing machines looked like in the 1940s, when Kinoshita worked on them. This picture shows the odd similarities, with the bulbous roundness and strange silver knobs sticking out. Apparently, the idea for the T-1000 came from eating hot fudge sundaes. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/2 "2008-03-14T16:18:00Z")
This reminds me of the “In the future” piece supposedly written by a turn of the (twentieth) century writer who speculated that one day coal powered robots would do such household chores as chopping wood. Pretty well known of course, but I still like the inspiration for the name HAL in 2001 (which if anybody doesn’t know is IBM minus one letter each; Anthony Hopkins based Lecter’s voice partly on HAL’s). IIRC, the inspiration for R2D2 was a keg of beer on a wheeled dolly. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/3 "2008-03-14T16:21:53Z")
[QUOTE=Sampiro] Pretty well known of course, but I still like the inspiration for the name HAL in 2001 (which if anybody doesn’t know is IBM minus one letter each; Anthony Hopkins based Lecter’s voice partly on HAL’s). [/QUOTE] Both Kubrick and Clarke have denied this, saying that it was just a coincidence and that they were surprised when someone mentioned it to them. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/4 "2008-03-14T16:27:29Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Both Kubrick and Clarke have denied this, saying that it was just a coincidence and that they were surprised when someone mentioned it to them. [/QUOTE] Who are you going to trust- Kubrick and Clarke or sci-fi magazines? Kubrick and Clarke are obviously on drugs (as evidenced by the fact they made/wrote _2001_) so I’m going with the experts. ---
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/5 "2008-03-14T17:40:44Z")
**Robbie the Robot Started Out Life as a Washing Machine** - Danger, Will Robinson! Colors have been mixed with whites! \* ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/6 "2008-03-14T17:56:12Z")
I must find fault with both io9 and **Bytegeist** - although they were designed by the same person, Robby the Robot and the _Lost in Space_ robot are not the same robot. [Robby](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Forbidden_Planet_poster.jpg) has a dome-shaped head, humanoid arms, and two feet. [The _Lost in Space_ robot](http://www.lostinspacerobot.com/) has a donut-shaped head, hook arms, and wheels. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/7 "2008-03-14T18:41:38Z")
[QUOTE=mobo85] I must find fault with both io9 and **Bytegeist** - although they were designed by the same person, Robby the Robot and the _Lost in Space_ robot are not the same robot. [/QUOTE] You just blew Best-Post-Of-The-Week for Bytegeist. I hope you are happy with yourself. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/8 "2008-03-14T19:28:39Z")
[QUOTE=mobo85] I must find fault with both io9 and **Bytegeist** - although they were designed by the same person, Robby the Robot and the _Lost in Space_ robot are not the same robot. [/quote] True — but both models have the same direct-inject wash system with Care Control™ temperature management, stainless steel wash basket, and 3-tray detergent, bleach, and fabric softener dispensers. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/9 "2008-03-14T22:27:22Z")
\*\*WARNING! WARNING! YOU MUST ADD THE FABRIC SOFTENER NOW! \*\* Back to reality… Gene Roddenberry’s inspiration for the early [Next Gen phasers](http://www.yourprops.com/view_item.php?movie_prop=12937) was a Black and Decker Dustbuster vacuum cleaner. George Lucas saw [giant cargo cranes](http://home.comcast.net/~apollo_photocards/photos/bayarea/oakland/waterfront/index.html) at the Port of Oakland and visualized the AT-AT walkers. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/10 "2008-03-14T23:08:54Z")
Mike Okuda says on one of the Trek disc interviews that Geordi LaForge’s VISOR design was inspired by his wife’s barrette. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/11 "2008-03-14T23:42:21Z")
[QUOTE=mobo85] Robby the Robot and the _Lost in Space_ robot are not the same robot. [/QUOTE] Robby did make two guest appearances on _Lost In Space_, though. Which probably weren’t credited as guest appearances, but in geek terms that’s pretty much what it was. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/12 "2008-03-14T23:47:30Z")
Yeah, but could Robot mass-produce moonshine out of a slot in his front, like Robby? Sort of like bathtub gin … ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/13 "2008-03-14T23:53:38Z")
This works in reverse as well once in a while. Apparently within the last 10 years or so in Britain, a particular model refuse bin for garden / lawn clippings has earned the nickname “garden Dalek” because of its’ resemblance to the Doctor Who monster. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/14 "2008-03-15T00:02:58Z")
[QUOTE=Bytegeist] True — but both models have the same direct-inject wash system with Care Control™ temperature management, stainless steel wash basket, and 3-tray detergent, bleach, and fabric softener dispensers. [/QUOTE] Great save! I don’t suppose it’s news to anybody that Dr. McCoy’s medical sensor began life as a salt shaker. ETA: I want a garden dalek. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/15 "2008-03-15T00:47:51Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] Yeah, but could Robot mass-produce moonshine out of a slot in his front, like Robby? [/QUOTE] YES, SIMPLE ALCOHOL WITH TRACES OF FUSIL OIL. WILL THIRTY-FIVE GALLONS BE SUFFICIENT?" I probably misquote, it’s been a while since I saw _Forbidden Planet._ ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/16 "2008-03-15T01:20:03Z")
The comlink used by Qui-Gon Jinn in _Star Wars: Episode I_ is actually a Gillette women’s razor. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/17 "2008-03-15T02:15:03Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] YES, SIMPLE ALCOHOL WITH TRACES OF FUSIL OIL. WILL THIRTY-FIVE GALLONS BE SUFFICIENT?" I probably misquote, it’s been a while since I saw _Forbidden Planet._ [/QUOTE] Uh, that _was_ Robby. “Robot” refers to the robot in _Lost in Space_, whose full name (“Robot B9”) is rarely used and who was never observed to manufacture booze. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/18 "2008-03-15T02:18:05Z")
The helmets of the Cylon suits used in the original _Battlestar Galactica_ are chrome plated Westinghouse toasters. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/19 "2008-03-15T02:19:31Z")
[QUOTE=TWDuke] Uh, that _was_ Robby. “Robot” refers to the robot in _Lost in Space_, whose full name (“Robot B9”) is rarely used and who was never observed to manufacture booze. [/QUOTE] Uh, yes but you should be chiding Elvis and not, uh, me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372/20 "2008-03-15T02:42:50Z")
[QUOTE=mobo85] I must find fault with both io9 and **Bytegeist** - although they were designed by the same person, Robby the Robot and the _Lost in Space_ robot are not the same robot. [/QUOTE] They were on at least one LiS episode together tho. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robbie-the-robot-started-out-life-as-a-washing-machine/441372.md?page=2)