Keeping Austin weird before weird was cool
This will be my penultimate post concerning the folder rescued during the move-out from the old Robohut in February 2005.
This RoboFest 7 bumper-sticker reveals something about a couple of exhibits from the September 14-15, 1996 show. Once again, Brooks Coleman’s Mechanical Pitbull can be seen front-and-center. Around that are sketches of what I first though were bombs being dropped. Actually, those are the remote-control hydrogen-filled Cybernetic Airships that thrilled attendees.
Here is another of the items that I found in an old file folder from The Robot Group, Inc.’s move from the old Robohut in February 2005.
This is a postcard-size flyer advertising RoboFest 6 that was held on April 1-2, 1995. The front side features a photo of Brooks Coleman’s Mechanical Pitbull. The opposite side is a list of sponsors.
That list of sponsors is a fair indication of how Austin has evolved. Aside from the City of Austin and the Austin Circle of Theatres (morphed into the Austin Creative Alliance as of 2011). Motorola became Freescale then NXP. Origin Systems was purchased from the Garriott brothers by Electronic Arts and dissolved. Jon Lebkowsky and Paco Nathan of still around but Fringeware is but a memory. Most of the other sponsors have vanished.
I very recently ran across the postcard below, a souvenir of a visit from Boston-based artist, Ross Miller.
The Robot Group, Inc. had recently vacated the old Robohut and was seeking a new home. In the interim, we were meeting at the Dobie Mall food court. Denise Scioli (who was teaching classes for the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria), talked Ross into coming over to speak at a gathering of members.
It was nearly a twenty year ago and the details are hazy. Ross was in town under the auspices of Randy Jewett’s Austin Green Art (now-defunct?) organization. He spoke briefly about his own work integrating art into public places then went around the group asking each attendee to explain their interests in art and robotics.
It has long been an inside joke among members that, “If it moves, it is a robot. If it doesn’t, it’s art.”
At the Annual Business Meeting, held virtually on 2021-12-26, the ballots were counted, and the results ratified by the Board of Directors.
Our officers are board members for 2022 are
Thank you for stepping up for service in 2021!
At the Annual Business Meeting, held virtually on 2020-12-06, the ballots were counted, and the results ratified by the Board of Directors.
Our officers are board members for 2021 are
Thank you for your service in 2020. You are hereby sentenced to another year!
F1 in Schools is an international STEM competition for school children, in which groups of 3–6 students have to design and manufacture a miniature car … using CAD/CAM design tools. The cars are powered by CO₂ cartridges and are attached to a track by a nylon wire.
Wikipedia
Some of Christy Williams’ students at the Gateway College Prep School in Georgetown, TX have formed a team to compete in the F1 in Schools program. That team, Aspire TX, sought help from The Robot Group and Brooks Coleman and others have risen to the occasion.
You can see the preliminary results in the YouTube video linked below.
At the Annual Business Meeting on 2019-12-08, an election was held and the results were ratified by the Board of Directors.
Our officers and board members for 2020 are
Hats off to the new leadership for their service in 2020! Thanks to the previous leadership for keeping the thing rolling with wheels on the road in 2019!
The meeting minutes can be read here.
Ted’s Greek Corner, at 417 Congress Avenue, was the meeting place for The Robot Group for years.
Someone handed me a photo of the owner’s business card back in September 2010.
