The World of Tomorrow

December 12, 2007 2:13 PM

The Middleton Family at the New York World's Fair (1939). The Original Futurama. Featuring Elektro, the Smoking Robot.
posted by Soup (9 comments total)

This has to be the coolest pocket protector ever.
posted by champthom at 2:38 PM on December 12, 2007

When I checked the Elektro clip, I was expecting Bender, but I got Calculon. What a letdown...

I love the clips though.
posted by pupdog at 2:44 PM on December 12, 2007

Is it just me, or is the female announcer at 46:10 Penny Singleton, the voice of Jane Jetson?
posted by hanoixan at 3:21 PM on December 12, 2007

Do you mean to tell me America was late to the war because you were busy having a fucking washing machine contest?
posted by the quidnunc kid at 3:22 PM on December 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

In color? Also, I like how. Slowly. He speaks. To. The robot. You could fool the rubes with that today.
posted by DU at 3:22 PM on December 12, 2007

I like the future in 1939 better than the future now.
posted by tkchrist at 3:48 PM on December 12, 2007

Was I the only one who wanted to see Elektro reach out and squeeze that square's skull until it popped like a festering zit?

I am the only one, aren't I?

Damn.
posted by John of Michigan at 5:30 PM on December 12, 2007

Does anyone have any idea if this Elektro is the same Elektro who is sampled saying "I-am-Elektro-my-brain-is-bigger-than-yours" in the Meat Beat Manifesto track 'Original Control (version 2)'? Because that's bugged me for ages.
posted by Hogshead at 7:01 PM on December 12, 2007

Sorry, can't RTFA -- busy watching Everybody Loves Hypnotoad.
posted by LordSludge at 6:28 AM on December 13, 2007