News and Notes

Elektro the Robot Returns: Foundation Robotics Video Sparks New Interest

Elektro the Robot Is Back in the Spotlight

A new video from Foundation Robotics is bringing fresh attention to one of America's earliest robots and the response has been immediate.

Elektro, the 7-foot-tall robot built by Westinghouse engineers in Mansfield, Ohio, is once again capturing imaginations nearly a century after his debut at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

For some, this is a first introduction. For others, it's a return to something familiar. Either way, people are paying attention.

Watch the Video

A Story That Started Here

For the Weeks family, Elektro has always been personal.

He was built in Mansfield by Westinghouse engineers, including John Weeks Sr. and Harold Gorsuch, as part of a bold vision for the “World of Tomorrow.” At a time when most homes didn’t even have a telephone, Elektro stood before millions of people and appeared to listen, respond, and perform.

He could move forward, lift his arms, count on his fingers, detect color, and carry out scripted interactions in real time.

But what stayed with people wasn’t just what he could do. It was how real he felt.

How It Worked

The video does a thoughtful job of explaining what was actually happening behind the scenes.

There was no artificial intelligence. No modern computing.

A system of relays, switches, wiring, and mechanical components powered Elektro. Voice commands didn’t “tell” him what to do in the way we think of today. They triggered electrical pulses that moved through a sequence of actions, almost like dialing through a switchboard.

Every movement was timed. Every response was designed.

And together, it created something that felt alive.

Why It Still Matters

Technology has changed dramatically since 1939.

What once required dozens of relays can now be handled by billions of microscopic components. Movement is more precise. Systems are faster, quieter, and more complex.

But Elektro holds onto something different.

He was built not just to function, but to engage. To perform. To spark curiosity.

That still comes through.

The Work Happening Now

Today, Elektro is in the care of the Weeks family, where restoration and preservation are ongoing.

Some of his original components are still intact and even functional. Others are missing or no longer usable. The goal has never been to remake him into something new, but to understand what remains and preserve it carefully.

That work takes time.

It also carries weight. Because Elektro is not just an object. He is part of a larger story about innovation, manufacturing, and the people who built and carried that work forward.

Keeping the Story Close to Home

One of the most meaningful outcomes from this moment is that Elektro’s original blueprints will remain in Mansfield, where they can be displayed alongside him at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum.

That matters.

Elektro’s story began here. This next chapter stays connected to that place.

A Moment Worth Paying Attention To

There’s a reason this video is resonating right now.

People are thinking about technology in new ways. They’re asking bigger questions about where it’s going and what it means.

Elektro offers a different perspective.

A reminder that the future has always been imagined first. Built piece by piece. Shared with people who were willing to believe in it.

Thank You

To Foundation Robotics, thank you for telling this story with care.

To everyone watching, sharing, and reconnecting with Elektro, thank you for being part of this moment.

He has always had a way of finding his audience.

It seems he still does.

Built in the past. Imagined for the future.

Elektro Featured in Mansfield News Journal

Elektro the Robot — the 1939 Westinghouse robot built in Mansfield, Ohio — was recently featured in the Mansfield News Journal in a story by reporter Lou Whitmire.

The article highlights the Weeks family’s ongoing restoration work and Elektro’s upcoming return to public display at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum inside the Ohio State Reformatory.

We're grateful for the thoughtful local coverage documenting this next phase of Elektro’s journey — from his debut at the 1939 New York World’s Fair to his 2025 restoration in Mansfield.

At Historia Labs, our focus remains on preservation, education, and expanding access to this important piece of American robotics history. As restoration continues, new mechanical upgrades and interactive capabilities will support future STEM programming and public engagement.

Local journalism keeps industrial history visible. We’re thankful to Lou Whitmire and the Mansfield News Journal for helping tell Elektro’s story.

For full details on Lou’s visit, we encourage you to read the original article in the Mansfield News Journal.

Follow ongoing updates at:
https://www.elektrotherobot.com/

CES 2026 and the History of Humanoid Robots: Elektro the Robot

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, companies presented humanoid robots designed to move, gesture, and interact using AI-driven systems. Demonstrations included dancing, folding laundry, and basic conversational exchange.

In 1939, Elektro the Robot was introduced to the public as a performing humanoid. Built for exhibition, Elektro spoke, told jokes, and appeared on stage, offering early public encounters with a machine designed to be experienced rather than used.

Later this year, Elektro will be installed at his new home at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum, located inside the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio.

As humanoid robotics continues to enter public view, Elektro’s installation provides historical grounding for ongoing conversations about how people meet machines in shared space.

Join the mailing list to stay connected as Elektro’s next chapter unfolds.

Read the full event coverage : Humanoid robots and physical AI dominate CES 2026 (Reuters)