Victorian Robots
Archibald Campion
1893 Mechanical Man
1900 Automatic Man
From the United States centennial to World War I, the Reade family members were among the best known figures in America. Not surprisingly, three generations of inventor/adventurers named Frank led to some confusion as to who was who.

The Reade Family

Frank Reade Jr. was the most prolific member of his family. His specialty was aeronautics. He developed unique helicopter airships that inspired both Jules Verne and Igor Sikorsky.

The Airship Gallery
Frank Reade and Frank Reade Jr. each built steam men. As the world’s first robots, their significance cannot be overestimated.

The Steam Men


After the success of the steam men, a new generation of robots was constructed.

The Electric Man
and Electric Horse
A biographical entry on Frank Reade and family can be found at the online
Encyclopedia of Fantastic Victoriana.

Purchase beautifully restored, full color art prints of Frank Reade adventures.

The Reade Gift Shop



The Victorian Robots Menu Page

OURSELVES PORTFOLIOS COMICS
Biography Drawing
Heartbreakers
Career Painting
T-shirts
Our Dog Illustration
Toys
Movies Photography Chronos
LINKS Halloween! Sculpture
Chronopolis
Big Red Hair Site Map
All contents copyright 2000, 2005 Paul Guinan.
Questions and comments:
guinan@bigredhair.com