News and Notes

Elektro Featured in Mansfield News Journal

Elektro the Robot — the 1939 Westinghouse robot built in Mansfield, Ohio — was recently featured in the Mansfield News Journal in a story by reporter Lou Whitmire.

The article highlights the Weeks family’s ongoing restoration work and Elektro’s upcoming return to public display at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum inside the Ohio State Reformatory.

We're grateful for the thoughtful local coverage documenting this next phase of Elektro’s journey — from his debut at the 1939 New York World’s Fair to his 2025 restoration in Mansfield.

At Historia Labs, our focus remains on preservation, education, and expanding access to this important piece of American robotics history. As restoration continues, new mechanical upgrades and interactive capabilities will support future STEM programming and public engagement.

Local journalism keeps industrial history visible. We’re thankful to Lou Whitmire and the Mansfield News Journal for helping tell Elektro’s story.

For full details on Lou’s visit, we encourage you to read the original article in the Mansfield News Journal.

Follow ongoing updates at:
https://www.elektrotherobot.com/

CES 2026 and the History of Humanoid Robots: Elektro the Robot

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, companies presented humanoid robots designed to move, gesture, and interact using AI-driven systems. Demonstrations included dancing, folding laundry, and basic conversational exchange.

In 1939, Elektro the Robot was introduced to the public as a performing humanoid. Built for exhibition, Elektro spoke, told jokes, and appeared on stage, offering early public encounters with a machine designed to be experienced rather than used.

Later this year, Elektro will be installed at his new home at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum, located inside the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio.

As humanoid robotics continues to enter public view, Elektro’s installation provides historical grounding for ongoing conversations about how people meet machines in shared space.

Join the mailing list to stay connected as Elektro’s next chapter unfolds.

Read the full event coverage : Humanoid robots and physical AI dominate CES 2026 (Reuters)