Robbie Robot thumbnail 1
Robbie Robot thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Play Gallery, Sound it Out, case 12

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Robbie Robot

Robot
1962 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Battery-powered toy robot with original box. The robot is made from coloured polystyrene: it has a dark blue head with transparent red eyes and mouth, and other yellow details; a red torso; yellow arms, legs and backpack; blue feet with yellow screw end covers. Two C-type batteries can be fitted into the backpack, the sliding on/off switch for the internal motor is located below. When activated, the robot moves forwards, its arms swing, its eyes and mouth blink and it makes a clicking sound. There are two wheels on the underside of each foot. At the top of the robot's chest is a small moulded rhombus, into which a sticker bearing the manufacturer's name should fit. The sticker is missing.

With the robot is its original box, made from colour printed card, showing an artist's image of the toy standing on a lunar surface.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Mechanical Toy
  • Box
TitleRobbie Robot (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Injection-moulded polystyrene, metal; printed card
Brief description
Battery operated robot with box, 'Robbie Robot'; Plastic, Hong Kong, MorToys, about 1962
Physical description
Battery-powered toy robot with original box. The robot is made from coloured polystyrene: it has a dark blue head with transparent red eyes and mouth, and other yellow details; a red torso; yellow arms, legs and backpack; blue feet with yellow screw end covers. Two C-type batteries can be fitted into the backpack, the sliding on/off switch for the internal motor is located below. When activated, the robot moves forwards, its arms swing, its eyes and mouth blink and it makes a clicking sound. There are two wheels on the underside of each foot. At the top of the robot's chest is a small moulded rhombus, into which a sticker bearing the manufacturer's name should fit. The sticker is missing.

With the robot is its original box, made from colour printed card, showing an artist's image of the toy standing on a lunar surface.
Dimensions
  • Robot height: 23.5cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'MADE IN HONG KONG / NO. T-25' (Moulded onto underside of robot)
Object history
Part of the Edward Castle collection.
Subject depicted
Collection
Accession number
B.196:1 to 2-2016

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Record createdNovember 4, 2016
Record URL
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