Carnegie Science Center

The Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh was a disappointment.  With grossly overpriced admission ($18!), it is more of a glorified playground for young children than a serious science museum.   John captured the essence when we were looking at a human body/biology exhibit and he said "When I look into a microscope, I don't want to see a cartoon!"  Our little science museum is West Palm Beach is much more sophisticated.

I found the robotics exhibit interesting from an artistic, historical perspective, though.    Here is "Maria", one of the first robotic icons of science fiction.  I think she is lovely.  She appeared in a silent German film in 1927.  (In fact, the term "robot" was not around until 1920)

Here are some more robots from the "Robotic Hall of Fame".  John is with R2-D2 and I am with C-3P0.

 

This is Gort -  one of the most memorable pop culture images from the Cold War era. Introduced in the 1951 movie classic The Day the Earth Stood Still, Gort comes to Earth as the killer robot bodyguard of the mysterious spaceman, Klaatu, who is on a mission of peace.

 

I learned the three laws of robotics (according to science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov):

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

I guess the war drones don't follow the robot rules?