Radiana, 1925

Jimmy Anderson sent this image to How to be a Retronaut. Over to Jimmy:

‘It would appear that my wife’s Great-Aunt Kathleen – something of a ‘trouper’ – worked for one “Professor Popjie” who toured the world with his amazing “robot” Radiana.

‘This supposed automaton would perform feats such as shaving willing audience members, apparently under Popjie’s control.’

‘According to Great-Aunt Kathleen’s son, the top picture was taken around 1927 when Kath was 21. ‘She was small enough to fit inside the sphinx and manipulate the head, hands and legs.  She worked for Popjie for 3 years.  He proposed marriage to her – which was not accepted…’‘

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Thank you to Cybernetic Zoo