Model of a Unimate Industrial Robot Working with Two Lathes, circa 1964

01

Artifact Overview

George Devol revolutionized manufacturing with his invention of the Unimate -- the world's first industrial robot. These rugged programmable units were designed to perform repetitive, arduous and hazardous tasks. The first Unimate was installed in a General Motors plant in 1961. This photograph, part of a larger archival collection documenting Devol's work, illustrates the functions and uses of his innovative idea.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1964

Collection Title

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2012.64.428

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Donated by the Family of George C. Devol.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Model of a Unimate Industrial Robot Working with Two Lathes, circa 1964