The article discusses how in the 1930s, robots were largely perceived as threatening figures, symbolizing runaway automation and creating job losses, particularly during the Great Depression. Journalist Matt Novak highlights a notable incident in 1932 where a robot purportedly shot its inventor, underscoring the era's fears. To counter this negativity, Shell Oil created 'The Birth of the Robot' in 1935, a film that reimagined robots in a positive light, invigorating public perception just after the term 'robot' was popularized in Karel Čapek's play R.U.R.
''There was a time when robots represented something fearful, a potent symbol of runaway automation and job loss,'' stated Novak about the public perception in the 1930s.
''By the end of the Great Depression, about 25% of jobless Americans believed automation was to blame for their unemployment,'' revealing deep fears surrounding technology.
''The Birth of the Robot'' commissioned by Shell Oil offered a counter-narrative to the fear of robots, showcasing them in a more positive light.
With its theatrical debut in 1935, ''The Birth of the Robot'' aimed to humanize robots against the backdrop of societal anxieties regarding technology.
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