Sabor, a groundbreaking robot created by August Huber in 1961, was designed to perform alongside Frank Sinatra but couldn’t due to its size. Initially crafted from wood and fabric, Sabor evolved into a remarkable machine capable of movement and conversation. It gained fame at the 1939 Swiss National Exhibition and toured worldwide, captivating audiences. After periods of obscurity, Sabor is now displayed in Teufen, representing a legacy that intertwines human creativity with technological progress, paralleling today’s fascination with AI.
The Fascinating Journey of Sabor: A Machine Man’s Legacy
In 1961, the remarkable robot known as Sabor was slated to share the stage with the legendary Frank Sinatra during his visit to the USA. Unfortunately, this unique performance was thwarted by an unexpected obstacle: Sabor’s impressive size of 2.37 meters made it impossible for the machine to navigate the stairs leading down to the jazz cellar.
Created by inventor August Huber from Teufen nearly a century ago, Sabor holds the title of the largest machine man of its time. Unlike most robots of that era, which were typically developed by companies, Sabor was the brainchild of a single individual.
From Vision to Reality: The Birth of Sabor
August Huber’s journey with Sabor began at the tender age of 12. While the exact inspiration behind this ambitious project remains a mystery, it is believed that the local textile industry played a significant role. As noted by Lilia Glanzmann, co-director of the Zeughaus Teufen, where Sabor is currently on display, “The mechanical knowledge was certainly a foundation to even get into this tinkering and crafting.”
During this time, the dream of creating artificial humans coincided with advancements in electrical and radio technologies. The term ‘robot’ had just emerged in 1921, thanks to Czech playwright Karel Čapek. Not long after, in 1927, Fritz Lang introduced a machine woman in his iconic film “Metropolis,” further igniting the public’s imagination.
Huber, who eventually became a textile merchant, dedicated his free time to crafting Sabor, whose first model was constructed from wood and fabric and could be controlled via radio. Over time, Sabor evolved to feature aluminum armor and a copper head designed by a German artist. This innovative robot could move on wheels, wave, turn its head, blink, and even engage in conversation.
Sabor’s first public appearance took place at the Swiss National Exhibition in Zurich in 1939. This event marked a significant milestone, symbolizing the excitement surrounding emerging technologies. During its performance, a master of ceremonies would interact with the audience while a hidden controller operated Sabor’s functions using a rotary dial, even lending his voice to the robot through radio transmission.
One of Sabor’s most impressive feats was its ability to light a fire and emit smoke, a spectacle that captivated audiences and made the machine appear almost human.
Following a period of silence during World War II, Sabor embarked on a worldwide tour, captivating crowds across Europe and even visiting Israel. The robot made appearances at fairs, department stores, and other public venues, drawing curious onlookers who often wondered if a person was concealed within the machine. Notably, Sabor presented flowers to the queen of the Netherlands and met a prince in Denmark, leaving a trail of fascination wherever it went.
In 1961, Sabor traveled to the USA, missing a chance to perform with Frank Sinatra but making notable appearances on shows like the Ed Sullivan Show. By this time, however, inventor August Huber had sold Sabor to electrical engineer Peter Steuer in 1951, who continued to showcase the robot to widespread acclaim.
Under Steuer’s stewardship, Sabor garnered interest from notable figures, including curator Harald Szeemann, who featured the robot in the “Science Fiction” exhibition at the Kunsthalle Bern in 1967.
As technology progressed, however, Sabor gradually faded from the spotlight, spending time in obscurity in Steuer’s garage as personal computers began to dominate the landscape. Since Steuer’s passing, Sabor has found a new home at the EBM Museum in Münchenstein, now known as “Primeo Energie Kosmos.”
Today, nearly a century after its inception, Sabor is once again on display in its birthplace of Teufen. Lilia Glanzmann observes parallels between past and present, stating, “On one hand, the fascination, and on the other hand, this magical moment of not understanding how something works. This is also a topic again today with AI.” The legacy of Sabor continues to inspire and provoke thought as we navigate the evolving world of technology.