Elektro the Robot
Elektro the Robot — originally known as Elektro the Moto-Man — is a landmark figure in American technological and industrial history.
Built between 1937 and 1938 by engineers at the Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Mansfield, Ohio), Elektro was created for the 1939 New York World's Fair, where he captured the public imagination as a vision of the future.
At a time when robots were not designed to perform labor, but to spark curiosity, Elektro represented a new kind of public engagement with technology — one rooted in wonder, education, and innovation.
Origins: Engineering the Future
Elektro emerged from a lineage of early mechanical "show-bots" developed by Westinghouse engineers. His predecessors included Herbert Televox, a relay-based system later given a human form, and Willie Vocalite, a humanoid figure capable of responding to voice commands.
With Elektro, engineers advanced this work significantly. He was a relay-driven robot designed to interact directly with audiences. At the World's Fair, Elektro could walk, speak, and respond to spoken cues delivered through a telephone handset using a precise cadence.
His voice was produced by a record player housed inside his torso, and his actions were powered by forty-eight electrical relays—technology that was both sophisticated and theatrical for its time.
As the featured attraction of the Westinghouse Pavilion, Elektro entertained packed auditoriums and embodied a future shaped by innovation and imagination.
A Long and Unusual Journey
Elektro's story extended well beyond the World's Fair.
During World War II, he was stored in the basement of Westinghouse engineer John Weeks, Sr., becoming part of everyday family life. Elektro eventually returned to Westinghouse to continue touring during the 1940s and 1950s, promoting the promise of a modern, technology-driven home.
In later years, Elektro appeared in public installations in California, including the Home of Tomorrow in Santa Monica. Eventually, as manufacturing declined in Mansfield, Elektro was disassembled and stored, remaining largely out of public view for many years.
Renewed interest in mid-century industrial design led to his rediscovery. With the help of descendants of the original engineering team, Elektro was reassembled and displayed at the Mansfield Memorial Museum, where he remained on view until 2023.
In 2025, Elektro was formally returned to the Weeks family. Brothers John Weeks and Lowell Weeks have since assumed responsibility for his care, documentation, and restoration.
Historia Labs is the owner and steward of Elektro the Robot and is currently guiding his next chapter with a focus on responsibility, clarity, and long-term public access.
Looking Ahead: Elektro's Next Chapter
Elektro is preparing to take his place at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum in 2026, where his story will continue as part of the region's deep industrial and technological legacy.
Behind the scenes, Team Elektro is hard at work documenting Elektro's history, preserving his integrity, and imagining how future generations might engage with him—not just as a historical object, but as a spark for learning and wonder.
Education & Public Programming
Education has always been part of Elektro's story, and it continues to guide what comes next. Future plans include education and STEM-focused programming that invites students, educators, and curious minds into the history of early technology, design, and innovation.
This work is centered on creating experiences that encourage curiosity, hands-on learning, and lasting engagement, grounded in both historical context and creative exploration.
As these ideas take shape, we'll share updates along the way and welcome those who want to follow, learn, and be part of Elektro's evolving story.
Stay Connected
If you'd like to follow Elektro's journey as this next chapter unfolds, we invite you to stay in touch.