Exhibit 0.1
~700BCEHephaestus’ golden assistants
In the Iliad, the craftsman god has made golden assistants who resemble living young women. Homer says they have intelligence, voice and strength. It may be one of the earliest literary descriptions of “intelligent machines”.
Why it is in the museum
This room shows that the desire for self-moving machines, logical rules and artificial beings is far older than the electronic computer.
What supports this exhibit
Primary literary source
The description of Hephaestus’ golden assistants as having intelligence, voice and strength.
Main source: Homer, Iliad 18.417–420.
What to keep in mind: Historical text; the connection with artificial life is curatorial.
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