Curio

ROM TIK-TOK, THE MECHANICAL MAN IN L. FRANK BAUM’S WIZARD OF OZ books, to BB-8, the rolling droid in the recent films, robots have long been a part of our popular culture. In the 1930s, the International Harvester Company introduced a robotic ambassador named Harvey Harvester, pictured at left at the 1938 Iowa State Fair. Built from IH tractor parts, the friendly automaton greeted visitors at state and local fairs. While the mechanics were rudimentary—Harvey was little more than an IH employee’s voice projected through a strategically positioned intercom system—he was, no doubt, an eye-catching attraction that provided some fun banter for fairgoers. By 1960, Harvey needed an upgrade, so IH introduced the very impressive Tracto, pictured at right. Built using 227 IH parts and standing eight feet tall, Tracto performed the same function as Harvey Harvester engaging passers-by at fairs. In addition to the new look, Tracto had eyes that lit up and was able to move around on wheels, turn its head, and move its right arm while conversing. Harvey Harvester’s whereabouts are unknown, but Tracto was restored by a private collector and, until recently, was on display at the Darst International Harvester Museum near Madison, Missouri.