Illustration Friday: Robot

Missed the boat on this one, but I thought I'd share it anyways.

Meet the Econobot. This was an early '80s offering for poorer landowners who could not afford the more sophisticated robots that opened fridges to retrieve beer.

The Econobot claimed to have it all. First there was the TV head, but it only seemed to play the test pattern. But what a test pattern! Then there was the vending machine chest of glory that offered a robust selection of chips and cola, but said refreshments seemed to disappear in the middle of the night, and Econobot turned a bright red when questioned about it.
The Econobot is obviously one for telephony, what with its state-of-the-art rotary phone that it can dial itself for you. One side effect to this feature is Econobot often falls apart when you use the phone because its structural integrity depends on it. And what's that on the feet? Why, it's a player piano. Unfortunately all current models of Econobot can only play Heart and Soul, and this novelty gets tired faster than you can say "Tom Hanks in Big."

Finally, there is the giant massager hands, which proved to be the Econobot's final undoing after it turned a former Mr. Universe into a modern day Quasimodo. Apparently the Econobot was in vigorous mode when the tragedy occurred. But we still love you, Econobot, in a retro kind of way.